Messina shows no signs of stopping. Having broken the spell and regained the play-off spot, the Giallorossi travel to Lamezia Terme with renewed confidence. Coach Vincenzo Feola , who for the second week in a row will be forced to watch his team from the stands due to his suspension, analyzed the victory against Ragusa, sending a clear message: “We have never changed our attitude, obviously we are all conditioned by the result. I have always told the boys the things I had to say, both before and after. We worked calmly for the other matches as well, in the world of football unfortunately we are labeled only based on the result. If we had conceded a goal in the 96th minute against Ragusa , the only time they came into the penalty area, what would we have talked about? Football is made up of episodes, victory is the result of a billion combinations, I have the experience of many years spent as a footballer and coach and I know how things work. In Favara , Vibo Valentia and Reggio Calabria the episode told us no, with Ragusa it went differently. If we had drawn that match, what would we have had to comment? With the victory there is more serenity, but I I saw the same calm in the boys as in the past few weeks.”
Feola: “We’ve never changed our approach. Winning is the only table I know.”
At the “D’Ippolito” stadium, they’ll face an opponent who’s sailing in calmer waters, lacking only the comfort of a mathematical certainty of survival. Feola hopes Messina’s hunger will prevail: “ I saw Vigor on Wednesday in Milazzo , they’re a good team. Milazzo played very well in the first half, then only Vigor played in the second. They have some outstanding individuals and important players, they lost undeservedly against Savoia , thanks to a 95th-minute striker. I think our motivation and desire should prevail over their mental state, even though Lamezia isn’t safe yet. It’ll be a battle; both teams were fighting for the win on Wednesday in Milazzo. I expect a tough match.”
No lineup for the final three regular-season games. Messina won’t have to make any calculations on their way to staying up. “The boys are responding brilliantly, they’re giving it their all, and they all deserve to play based on the way they train and perform. But the choices have to be made based on the opponent and the team’s situation, taking into account the under -15s , substitutions during the match, and injuries, so it’s not easy to draw up a lineup. I have an exceptional group, where everyone is giving it their all, and I’m sorry to send anyone to the stands. We’re thinking game by game, first about Sunday and then about the next one. Lineups always prove wrong; we have to try to win; that’s the only lineup I know.”
