The Giallorossi broke their eight-match drought with a narrow victory in the clash at the “Franco Scoglio” stadium. The former Chieti player, assisted by Tedesco, scored the decisive goal in the 24th minute of the second half. Thanks to Sancataldese’s concurrent defeat, Garufi and his teammates moved level with the Verdeamaranto in the play-off zone.
Pre-match. Yet another head-to-head clash for survival, a tremendously complicated objective so far. Messina hosts Ragusa at the “Franco Scoglio” stadium in the 31st matchday of Serie D, Group I. Coach Vincenzo Feola (suspended for two matches, with Cirino on the bench) has introduced five new lineups compared to the loss in Torre Annunziata against Savoia. Giardino returns to his spot between the posts, while De Caro, Pedicone, Zucco, and Tourè also start. Clemente is out, suspended by the Sports Judge. While Messina are on a long (eight-game) winless streak, Ragusa has collected 11 points in their last six matches and is currently safe. For the Iblei, Lucenti is without the suspended Bianco.
The match report: Ready to go, a midfield brawl immediately erupts in the 3rd minute, involving almost all of both teams. Once the tension had calmed down, the referee cautioned Bosia and Accetta.
Messina had a sensational chance in the 8th minute: Oliviero’s cross from the right found Roseti, who missed the inviting opportunity from close range with a weak shot. In the 17th minute, Oliviero attempted a volley from the center of the area, but it was deflection-prone. Garufi attempted a long-range shot in the 19th minute, but it slid wide. Messina struggled to find new ideas, while Ragusa focused more on the essentials. Following a corner, the Giallorossi’s second of the match, De Caro fired toward goal, sending the ball over the crossbar. The visitors made their presence felt in the 37th minute, with D’Innocenzo’s attempt from the edge of the box going over. A couple of runs from Tourè were unsuccessful. The score was 0-0 at halftime. No changes were made at the start of the second half. In the 2nd minute, Tourè and Roseti clashed when shooting from Oliviero’s cross, thus squandering a good opportunity for Messina. Ragusa threatened in the 8th minute with a diagonal shot from Campanile, who eluded Trasciani’s marker but failed to find the target. At the other end, Zucco fired from outside the area, the ball soaring after a defender’s deflection and going over the crossbar.
Messina tries to pick up the pace. De Caro crosses into the middle for Roseti’s header, who wins the duel with his marker but heads wide. A double substitution comes on in the 13th minute: Tedesco comes on for Roseti and Aprile replaces Matese. Memeo suffers a serious injury, accidentally hitting the head: the Ragusa player requires medical attention and is subsequently carried off on a stretcher, with the match suspended for a couple of minutes. In the 24th minute, Messina rallies and builds the play that takes the lead. Tourè speeds away and exchanges with Tedesco, who completes the triangle by passing to his teammate. The former Chieti player’s spectacular volley, his fifth goal of the season, leaves Esposito with no chance. Tourè and his teammates celebrate unstoppably at 1-0. Ragusa reacts timidly with the substitute Capone, whose ball disappears into Giardino’s arms. Tourè attempted a solo effort in the 33rd minute, but his long-range shot went wide. Saverino replaced the exhausted Zucco. Savanarola was booked for protesting from the bench. Maisano came on for Oliviero. Principe di Tivoli awarded six minutes of injury time. A last-minute scare came from Callegari’s header, following a set piece, which went over the crossbar. Messina beat Ragusa 1-0 and regained faith in staying up thanks to their first win under Feola. Sancataldese’s concurrent defeat allowed Garufi and his teammates to catch up with the Verdeamaranto, returning to the play-off zone.
The scoresheet. Messina-Ragusa 1-0
Goalscorer: 24′ st Tourè.
Messina (3-5-2): Giardino; De Caro, Trasciani, Bosia; Oliviero (45′ st Maisano), Garufi, Zucco (34′ st Saverino), Matese (13′ st Aprile), Pedicone; Tourè, Roseti (13′ st Tedesco). Subs: Sorrentino, Kaprof, Maisano, Zerbo, Bombaci, Bonofiglio. Coach: Giovanni Cirino (Vincenzo Feola suspended)
Ragusa (3-5-2): M. Esposito; B. Esposito, Callegari, Prestigiacomo; Accetta (34′ st Palladino), D’Amore (27′ st Capone), Memeo (21′ st Martorelli), D’Innocenzo, Ciniero (45′ st Brugaletta), Campanile, Golfo (5′ st Sinatra). Subs: Bonagura, Benassi, Ali, Brugaletta, Crisci. Coach: Gaetano Lucenti
Referee: Principe di Tivoli (assistants Camilli of Roma1 and Stotani of Viterbo)
Notes – Yellow cards: Bosia (M), Accetta (R), Trasciani (M), Ciniero (R), Saverino (M). Added time 2′ pt, 6′ st.
