It will no longer be possible to say that these are not the matches that Messina must win or that they are not the opponents against which to obtain points. The critical situation in the standings of the Giallorossi, in penultimate position after Torre Annunziata’s defeat against Savoia (which would mean direct relegation to Eccellenza), leaves no alternatives. Vincenzo Feola’s team, still without success in seven matches on the Peloritana bench (just 3 points), cannot afford any more missteps and will necessarily have to win to at least try to earn the play-outs. We will have to overcome Sancataldese to avoid falling into the abyss that, at the end of the first round, no one would have imagined. Then the negative turn and the crisis in results and performances led to a collapse that is difficult to explain.
There is one objective, salvation, just as there is only one possible way to achieve it, that is to win the last four matches and hope that the rivals do not do the same.
The week of training begins today, with Messina having the urgency of immediately returning to winning the three points (missing from February 1st in Paternò) in Sunday’s match, when Ragusa arrives at the “Franco Scoglio”. A direct clash not to be missed, in terms of approach, performance but, above all, from the point of view of the result. The subsequent matches will also depend on the match against the Azzurri and on any good news from the other fields: the month of April will continue with two consecutive away matches: on Sunday 19th against a quiet Vigor Lamezia and on the 26th in Barcelona for the derby against Igea Virtus who, “eliminated” from the race for supremacy, are fighting for the playoffs. Finally, on May 3rd the other derby, the internal one against a Milazzo team who have already obtained the deserved salvation.
Garufi and his teammates must shake off the pressure, insecurities and that fear of winning which – according to the coach – seems to have enveloped the team. We will have to turn the page to give hope to a place forced to live through another nightmare season. And we need to wake up before it’s too late.
