Messina has earned its eighth win in nine league and Coppa Italia matches, and is now the sole league leader and a semifinalist. Coach Alfio Torrisi is delighted with yet another display of strength: “These are three important, crucial points, deservedly earned. I had asked for great competitive spirit and concentration. We approached the game with a great spirit. I saw humility, a spirit of sacrifice, and a team that wanted to win the game and showed great quality in their dribbling.”
ACR scored a goal in each half and Bonanno hit the crossbar late in the game, but there were very few defensive threats: “The team dominated the pitch against an opponent who tried to cause us problems, especially given the atmosphere I saw here and the great fans. Kudos to the city of Vittoria because they tried to cause us problems and played their game. I congratulate the boys on their outstanding performance.”
Kragl and his teammates continue to improve as the weeks go by: “We managed the game well. This, as is right, had been lacking in some of our other matches at the start. The team made significant strides in managing moments. We were less frenetic in the second half, while in the first we forced the play a few times. We showed composure, a carefree attitude, and the ability to keep the ball with quality.”
Messina only lacked the final knockout blow: “It’s a shame because we had three clear chances to make it 3-0 from open play and we didn’t manage it. But great teams like Messina also break the deadlock from set pieces and don’t concede. We’re a great team with facts, not just on paper. This is a very difficult pitch, and Vittoria has the arguments and the concepts.”
Next Sunday, the home match against Leonzio : “We’ve been working on the next home game since Tuesday. We can’t let our guard down; I’ve said many times that October is crucial for the championship and our path forward. This victory can have a particularly strong impact on our mental health, because the team, through their performance and the result, sent a great message to the championship.”
Torrisi also beamed with the impact of the five substitutions: “Seeing Varela come on in the 80th minute and defend like a young man shows the spirit that’s building in this team. The substitutes changed the game physically, they fought and ran. We never backed down; it’s the spirit of a great group that’s becoming a team.”
