Messina immediately hit the crossbar twice, with Touré and Tedesco both striking. Andreassi broke the deadlock in the 10th minute with his first attempt. At the start of the second half, ACR returned to the forefront with a series of chances, but Iannì was alert. In the 21st minute, Maimone hit the crossbar and then the post, but Messina won a penalty on the counterattack, which Roseti converted flawlessly. Touré’s run in the 41st minute almost put the score in the lead. It was a valuable point, given the defeats of Acireale, Vibonese, and Enna, which left the play-offs open.
The match report. In the 6th minute, Touré made his first real attack on the left: the Franco-Malian attempted a volley with the outside of his right foot that hit the crossbar, much to the dismay of the numerous and noisy fans in attendance. Messina’s next move was another setback, with Tedesco hitting the crossbar again with a superb right-footed shot from inside the box.
Vigor Lamezia surprisingly took the lead in the 10th minute: Cosendey’s counterattack, the former Catalano’s cross from the left, and Andreassi’s tap-in were perfect . It was the Castrovillari-born midfielder’s second goal of the season after his goal against Paternò. In the 16th minute, Vigor threatened again, but Cosendey couldn’t get to Marigosu’s cross. Messina immediately countered with Touré playing Oliviero on the right, whose cross was anticipated by Del Pin. The tempo was high and the match was truly entertaining. In the 18th minute, Tedesco tried again from outside the box: his shot was deflected for a corner. On the following shot, D’Anna broke back and fed Andreassi in deep: this time, Garufi’s clearance was perfect. The match continued unabated: Aprile tried from outside the box, but Iannì dived and saved. In the 23rd minute, Catalano collapsed after a blow to the face, but the referee failed to notice it. Lamezia Terme manager Mancini was booked for protesting. In the 27th minute, Pedicone tried his luck after Oliviero’s brilliant run down the right, but the Calabrians held firm. In the 33rd minute, Catalano again tried from the left, but Spanò’s header failed to make the decisive save.
In the 36th minute, Pedicone raced down the left, but collapsed to the ground. His teammates called for a substitution, fearing a muscle injury. Maisano replaced the former Enna player. In the 41st minute, Zucco freed himself well in the box, but his curling shot went high over the crossbar. Marigosu fed Maimone, whose effort was deflected for a corner. In the 44th minute, Catalano attempted a free kick from a tight angle, but Giardino punched it away. Maisano was booked for bringing down D’Anna: he was booked and will be suspended. The halftime break was 1-0 after three minutes of injury time. Another substitution was made during the interval: Matese replaced Aprile. In the 6th minute, Maisano found Touré, who broke through on the left and fired into the side-netting, but the ball was deflected. Messina came within a whisker of equalizing: Iannì was providential in blocking a header, perhaps even off a defender, then Trasciani recovered the ball and tested the Lamezia goalkeeper again, who also dived to block Maisano’s attempt in the 9th minute. ACR now attacked to level the score.
In the 11th minute, Touré broke through on the left again: Oliviero’s cross went high over the crossbar, but the header from the ball went over. This was the fourth chance in a matter of minutes. Mancini made amends by bringing on former Igea player Ordonez. In the 17th minute, Touré tried again, but his shot was off target. Roseti replaced Tedesco: this was Messina’s third substitution. In the 21st minute, Vigor Lamezia had a sensational opportunity: Montebugnoli’s header hit the crossbar and then the post, but it didn’t cross the goal line, leaving the Messina defense able to clear the area. ACR went from a possible 2-0 lead to a penalty: in the 23rd minute, D’Anna brought down Maisano in the box, and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Roseti wrong-footed Iannì and scored his seventh goal of the season. The Vigor bench was indignant at the referee’s whistle, and sporting director Maglia protested vigorously and was sent off. Messina coach Savanarola also held him back. A few minutes later, Lamezia Terme coach Mancini was shown a second yellow and sent off. In the 33rd minute, Saverino replaced Zucco, while in the 37th minute, former Santagata player Pussetto replaced Cosendey.
In the 40th minute, Catalano attempted a direct save from a corner, but Giardino was alert and saved. The counterattack was immediate, with Touré making a darting run into the box; Iannì blocked, and Messina won another corner. Five minutes of injury time. Zerbo also came on, threatening immediately in the 90th minute, but his shot was blocked. Nothing further happened. It was still a valuable draw, given the defeats of Vibonese, Acireale, and Enna, which have fueled the play-off battle. Messina will need to make the most of the derbies against Igea Virtus and Milazzo to climb the standings and secure a play-off spot at home.
The scoresheet. Vigor Lamezia-Messina 1-1
Goalscorers: 10′ 1st Andreassi (L), 24′ 2nd half Roseti (M).
Vigor Lamezia (4-3-3): Iannì; D’Anna, Del Pin, Sanzone, Montebugnoli; Maimone, Marigosu, Andreassi (50′ 2nd half Simonetta); Spanò (11′ 2nd half Ordonez), Cosendey (37′ 2nd half Pussetto), Catalano (42′ 2nd half Pagano). On the bench: Sabella, Errico, Morelli, Amendola, Bammacaro. Coach: Renato Mancini.
Messina (4-2-3-1): Giardino; Clemente, Bosia, Trasciani, Pedicone (37′ 2nd half Maisano); Garufi, Aprile (1′ 2nd half Matese); Oliviero, Zucco (33′ st Saverino), Touré (45′ st Zerbo); Tedesco (17′ st Roseti). On the bench: Sorrentino, De Caro, Kaprof, Bonofiglio. Coach: Giuseppe Savanarola (Vincenzo Feola suspended).
Notes – Maglia (sporting director L) sent off in the 25th st, Mancini (coach L) in the 28th st. Yellow cards: Mancini (coach L) 23′ st, Maisano (M) 46′ st, Ordonez (L) 22′ st, Iannì (L) 32′ st. Corners: 2-4. Added time: 3′ st and 5′ st.
