The early goal proved fatal. The Peloritani then failed to sting and turn the game around, as they had in previous away matches. Their first defeat away from the “Franco Scoglio” stadium.
Pre-match. Messina, after overturning their standings penalty, cheered on by around three hundred fans, are looking to extend their unbeaten away streak at the “Tomaselli” stadium in Caltanissetta . Trasciani has returned to the starting lineup after suspension. Former home players Kragl, Crisci, and Marino start on the bench, while former coach Di Napoli is suspended.
The match report: The home side dominated early on, taking the lead in the fourth minute thanks to Terranova ‘s header , well-placed by De Felice’s aerial pass, which beat Sorrentino, who failed to clear it on the goal line. Nissa maintained possession for the first ten minutes. In the 14th minute, Tourè had his first chance , forcing Castelnuovo to deflect it out for a corner. In the 19th minute, Tourè again sent in a dangerous through ball, but Silvestri slid clear at the last minute.
In the 24th minute, the visiting defense was under pressure from Rotulo’s initiative, which was blocked in two stages by the Peloritani. Two minutes later, Saverino was too alone and unable to trouble the home goalkeeper. In the 29th minute, Terranova took control, skipping past two men and attempting a shot from outside the box, but the ball sailed over the crossbar. In the 45th minute, Fravola had an inviting pass, but his shot was blocked by the defense. In the only minute of added time, Trasciani’s header was ineffective.
The second half slowed down, with Nissa making their first substitution in the 5th minute following an injury to Tumminelli. In the 11th minute, Tourè attempted a counterattack, but the visitors’ defensive retreat was foiled. Coach Romano opted for a double substitution: Aprile and Zucco came on to inject new life into the attacking midfield. In the 20th minute, Sorrentino made a providential save to deny De Felice, who was accidentally sent on goal by a rebound. In the 22nd minute, the Messina goalkeeper repeated his feat, tipping Terranova’s free kick out of the top corner. In the 26th minute, Bosia made an excellent save to deny Diaz who was about to shoot from a great position.
In the 33rd minute, De Felice erred on the sidelines, passing instead to a teammate, and the play fizzled out. In the 36th minute, Messina’s defense made another poor retreat, with Sorrentino thumping De Felice’s shot and clearing it for a corner. In the 42nd minute, Sorrentino was again able to prevent Rapisarda’s cross into the middle. Messina attempted a late attempt, first with Azzara’s cross into the middle, which was cleared for a corner, then with Roseti’s header, which went wide. In the third minute of five minutes of added time, Nissa almost doubled the lead when former player Crisci missed, partly due to defensive pressure. In the 94th minute, Azzara fired a weak shot on his own initiative, finishing 1-0, Messina’s first away defeat of the season. Paternò and Ragusa won at the bottom of the table.
The scoresheet. Nissa-Messina 1-0
Goalscorers: 4′ Terranova.
NISSA: Castelnuovo; Agnello, Tumminelli (5′ st Rapisarda), Rotulo (16′ st Kragl); De Felice (39′ st Crisci), Bruno, Terranova (24′ st Diaz), Palermo, Silvestri (47′ st Marino); Napolitano, Megna. Subs: Creuso; Croce; Cittadino. Ciniero. Coach: Tatomir
MESSINA: Sorrentino; Bosia (29′ st Azzara), Garufi (29′ st Tesija), De Caro, Trasciani; Maisano, Orlando (42′ st Bombaci), Saverino (12′ st Zucco), Fravola (12′ st Aprile); Tourè, Roseti. Subs: Paduano; Clemente; Ivan; Veron. Coach: Romano.
Notes – Booked: Saverino (M). Referee: 1′ first half, 5′ second half.
Referee: Zito di Rossano.
Assistants: Bignucolo and Rastelli
