With the presentation of the sporting director Maurizio Pellegrino and the coach Alfio Torrisi, scheduled today (3pm) in the Hall of Flags of Palazzo Zanca in the presence of the vice-president Morris Pagniello, Messina’s season officially kicks off. It is the first act of a year that will come to life on August 3rd with the start of Cascia’s retreat, while in the background the game remains, still open, linked to the possible repechage. In the meantime, the club continues to move decisively on the market, building a squad which, if the Biancoscudati were to compete in the Eccellenza championship, will inevitably have to start with the underdogs.
Tracks wide open with Ciccio Giunta, the Catanzaro youngsters Gabriele Loria and Mario Catania, both born in 2009, as well as goalkeeper Pietro Maniscalco, born in 2008, fresh from his experience with Mazzarrone coached by Ezio Raciti. But the name that ignites the market the most is that of Manuel Sarao: on the Milanese striker, who will turn 37 in October, there is also the Acireale of the new sporting director Giuseppe Savanarola, fueling a transfer challenge which, barring repechages, could turn into a duel on the pitch in the next Eccellenza. But Messina would be very close to the former Siracusa striker.
Sarao would represent a graft of absolute value. Last season he wore the shirts of Gela and Nissa, scoring 5 goals in the first round with the biancazzurri, including the first two scored at the “Franco Scoglio” in the 2-0 success on the third day. The end of the season was instead marked by the four-match disqualification he received after the match against Sambiase, when, according to the sports judge, he reacted to the fans’ provocations by slapping a Calabrian supporter who had thrown a bottle at him. The sanction made him miss the last day of the championship and two games of the playoffs.
Regardless of the episode, Sarao’s resume speaks for itself. For years, a protagonist in Serie C with the shirts of, among others, Catania, Catanzaro, Monopoli and Virtus Francavilla, he would guarantee quality, experience and valuable leadership even within the locker room.
The trail that leads to Flavio Carioca also remains alive, another element of great experience, who arrived in Sicily with Jonica and subsequently played a leading role in Eccellenza with Vittoria and Avola.
Curiosity: Sarao is assisted by Giosport, the same agency that represents Torrisi, Oliver Kragl and, since a few days, also former Messina players Peppe Salvo and Lamine Fofana. Founded by Giovanni Tateo, Giosport was also a protagonist during the years of Sciotto’s presidency, contributing with its men to the salvation of Messina in the 22/23 season. Among these is Kragl, who after his experience on the banks of the Strait found Torrisi in Trapani and who could now meet the Etna coach again.
Contacts with the German winger have intensified, confirming Messina’s desire to set up a first-rate team, regardless of the category in which he will be called to play.
