Without the spotlight of professionalism, without the rivalry in the stands but still a Strait derby. After nine years, Messina-Reggina is back. The game is played in Serie D, with opposing objectives: the Giallorossi are looking for points to continue their climb to safety while the Amaranths must win to follow up on the predictions that give them the main candidate to move up the category. However, they are places that are experiencing a anything but glorious phase in their history: Acr is waiting to emerge, in what way, from the corporate crisis that has led to yet another bankruptcy, while the Calabrian club, with owner Nino Ballarino at the helm, has failed to return to the Pro ranks after the dramatic epilogue under Saladini’s management. The years of Serie A seem very distant, so we face each other with the status of fallen nobles. With a great desire to find other stages again.
So far the context, then there’s the pitch and today, regardless of the setting, it will be a real match. Peloritani who come from two draws in a row and now want to return to full spoils. What game will it be? Coach Pippetto Romano spoke about it like this: «It’s a particular challenge, a historic derby with two famous clubs – he said through official channels -. Messina will give 100 percent on the pitch, we need to enter the match with even more determination because we face Reggina, so we’re foaming at the mouth and eyes on fire. As always, it will be a race full of great emotions, we have prepared well to face it in the right way.”
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