Ragusa-Messina 0-0
RAGUSA: M. Esposito 6, B. Esposito 6.5, Cantone 6, Bianco 6.5 (38′ st Brugaletta sv), Memeo 6. D’Innocenzo 6. Capone 6.5 (13′ st Sinatra 6), Prestigiacomo 6, Campanile 6.5 (33′ st Aronica 6), Accept 6, D’Amore 6 (13′ st Palladino 6), Callegari 6. Coach Lucenti 6.5.
MESSINA: Sorrentino 6. De Caro 6.5 (40′ st Bosia sv). Tresciani 6.5, Aprile 6, Bombaci 6, Clemente 6, Garufi 6.5, Maisano 6 Saverino 6. Toure 7, Azzara 6 (15′ st Elia 6) . Roman Coach 6.5.
REFEREE: Framba di Torino 6.5.
NOTE: Approximately 350 spectators including at least a hundred guest fans with drums and flags. Nice weather and good cool field. D’Innocenzo and Prestigiacomo booked. 2-1 for Messina. Added time 1′ and 4′.
Between Messina in the aggressive recovery phase and the “new” Ragusa capable of giving (a lot of) trouble even to the teams from the uptown areas, perhaps (but perhaps not) the draw could have been an announced result. After all, after the first half it seemed like that to the spectators too, including the noisy and flag-bearing group of supporters from Messina. But let’s make it clear, only after the sleepy first half, which went away without a corner and with the minimum number of fouls. Also thanks to a good and very “understanding” referee, who only blew the whistle when he really couldn’t help it. However, upon returning from the locker room it was a completely different story. Ragusa, realizing that they were not facing an irresistible opponent, tried, first timidly then with consistency and conviction, to take the three points. He came close with a deadly shot from Campanile which hit the inside crossbar with the ball bouncing just this side of the line. For the locals even two or three balls just out. Even though they conceded overall, Messina tried to respond, relying above all on Tourè, who eluded his guards, crossed accurately and created a lot of “confusion” in the home air. The theme of the match did not change until the final stages, when the players’ pressure took its toll on tiredness and motivated two rather dangerous free kicks, one right in injury time, which Messina did not exploit. At the three whistles, the home team and the guests could both say they were, at least not dissatisfied: positive streak extended, comeback uninterrupted, difficult task overcome without damage. A pinch of regret for the crossbar aside, the only thing that counted was the point each on the eve of the match which was certainly not disdained.
Romano: “Without strikers it’s difficult to be incisive”
Pippo Romano doesn’t wait in the press room. «A hard-fought, sharp match between two teams who didn’t want to lose. We had a good race, even if we were a little lacking at the front, where at the moment we are unable to be incisive. But the team was strong; on the last free kick we could have won, but Ragusa hit the crossbar. However, a balanced challenge; we return home with a point after a match that we knew would be difficult on the eve of the match against top rivals, who had beaten teams like Savoia and Vibonese. So, we see the glass as half full.”
What do you expect from the December transfer market?
«First of all, the unblocking of the guardianship and court situation; then, when we can operate, to bring in players who can guarantee us something more in terms of quality and experience, to reach the objective we have set ourselves. Of course, starting 14 points down is tough: right now we would have twenty-one and be in the playoff zone. But let’s move forward with confidence and see what happens.”
A patched-up team with many absentees
«We were eighteen and without regular attackers; the two ahead were at least to annoy. We need two heavyweights in attack.”
Toure didn’t do badly
“It is true. Even if it wasn’t in his role, he’s giving us a lot, he’s the only one who manages to worry the opposing defenses.”
The fans follow you en masse.
«We have a fan base that has nothing to do with this category. We are doing our utmost to give her the satisfaction she deserves.”
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