January is rapidly approaching and brings with it the decisive moment for Messina, called to strengthen the team with vigor to reach the coveted goal of salvation, a goal to be pursued with absolute priority for a club that possesses nothing other than the category. But the long-awaited transfer market risks starting with the handbrake on without a quality sporting director, with president Pietro Sciotto who, after the discussion with Giacomo Modica at the resumption of training, should define his vision of the future. First meeting Mayor Basile and then perhaps explaining a year of very long silences to the square. Or at least that’s what it would be appropriate to do.
Enthusiasm on the ground The need to strengthen a group that has collected just 16 points in the first twenty days is evident, also to give a shock to those who have disappointed. The most relevant name, so far, is that of Daniel Dumbravanu, who had performed well in Messina last season, but was rarely used in the first twenty days of this year at Lucchese. The lead that leads to the striker Juan Ignacio Molina of Vis Pesaro could be more concrete, but even in this case, as with all Messina’s “attacking” negotiations, it is a name that does not particularly heat up the market.
The few happy notes Beyond the arrivals, it will be essential to keep in the squad those players who have made a good contribution so far, such as Anatriello and Petrungaro. Bologna’s ownership tip is followed by Monopoli, but its transfer is also linked to the will of the Bolognese; Potenza, on the other hand, likes the winger, who was hit with the temporary 0-1 goal in the last match of 2024.
Disappointing and impalpable Outgoing are Mamona, absent on Saturday when training resumed, but also the various Kings, Luciani and Di Palma, not at all convincing in this first round. Even Petrucci and Garofalo, despite having potential, were unable to establish themselves as expected: the former struggled to find continuity between his lack of fitness and physical ailments, while Garofalo only found his way to the goal against Taranto and offered little else . Finally, Marino has never shone, except for a few moments in which he was used in the three-man defence, but without ever exceeding the passing mark.
The return to the field Messina will travel until today at the rate of two sessions a day, a morning training session is scheduled for tomorrow, with preparation resuming in the afternoon of January 1st. Four days later, Audace Cerignola will arrive at the “Franco Scoglio” (kick-off on Sunday 5th at 3pm), a team that, despite having arrived in Serie C a year after the Peloritani and 85 years after the last time, has been able to build a solid and well-planned squad over time. A reality that continues to grow, as demonstrated by the possible return to the gialloblù of Ismail Achik, a talented Moroccan winger, currently on loan to Ascoli from Bari who had purchased him from Audace Cerignola in 2023 for 300 thousand euros. An operation also confirmed by the Apulian sporting director Elio Di Toro.
