As in the first leg, the dreaded derby against Reggina is a blessing for Messina , who rediscover their spirit, combativeness, and solidity. Points continue to be scarce in the lower reaches of the table, Acireale and Vibonese are experiencing serious corporate crises, and Sancataldese managed to lose in Paternò , against a team that hadn’t won since November 2nd. This also confirms that Roseti’s meager 1-0 victory in Catania during Alessandro Parisi’s brief tenure was worth its weight in gold.
Coach Vincenzo Feola managed to revive the spirit he’d displayed for months, with Pippo Romano at the helm, with Messina focused more on defense than attack, yet still coming within a whisker of a feat in the most anticipated match. In front of 7,500 spectators , in a splendid setting truly out of this world, ACR put the disappointing performance against Enna behind them , rediscovering the right attitude and spirit. The new 3-4-3 formation had the desired effect. Tedesco scored his third goal in four games, confirming that he just needed to regain his fitness.
The former Nardò player fought tooth and nail, unnerving a Reggina side that boasts undeniable quality but also some limitations, considering that some of its key players continue to struggle with injuries. The Amaranto weren’t lucky early on, with Di Grazia hitting the crossbar , but after the serious lapse in concentration that led to the second half, they could have been defeated by the forays of Tourè, Saverino, and Oliviero , who, like Giardino, shows room for growth and personality. At this point, signs are also awaited from Kaprof , while Sturniolo and Papallo remain the main enigmas so far.
Messina’s attitude, which without the penalty would be in contention for the playoffs , is that of a team that has always shown excellent results against the big teams. Saverino and his teammates were able to overcome the emergency caused by the absences of Matese and Clemente , who are continuing their rehabilitation and recovery between the pool and the pitch, under the orders of Francesco Mento’s medical staff. Against Sambiase , they will have to contend with the suspensions of Bosia and Trasciani , but the match at the “Granillo” has restored great confidence and self-confidence to the group. Next up is the direct clash in Favara before a very useful break for Feola to plan the final push.
Direct safety is well within reach, especially since the competition is far from irresistible, and Messina, despite its limitations—inevitable for a team built so late and in just a few days—still has quality and new options. Just think of Roseti and Zerbo , who only got a few minutes when the game was almost over. The home matches against Gelbison and Milazzo, who may be less motivated than the Peloritani, also offer a win-win situation. The head-to-head clashes with Vibonese, Ragusa, and Lamezia are crucial, while the match in Reggio shows that even against Nissa and Savoia, no result is out of the question.
