Almost nine years have passed since that 29 December 2016, the last crossing between Messina and Reggina. That day, at the “Franco Scoglio”, the 2-0 scored by Bruno and Milinkovic, with the second goal scored under unusual snow, almost surreal for these latitudes, seemed like an omen. As if those rare white flakes wanted to announce the start of a long football winter for both sides of the Strait.
Since then, everything has changed, but nothing has really improved. The two historic rivals, once the protagonists of memorable derbies between Serie A and B, find themselves today in amateur football, united by failures, re-foundations and restarts.
Reggina, which went bankrupt at the end of that season, changed its skin and name several times (Reggio Calabria, Urbs Reggina, La Fenice Amaranto), until the current Reggina 1914, which returned to Serie D after a three-year period in Serie B interrupted by the new crash in 2023. For the Amaranths, this is the third consecutive championship among the amateurs.
Messina, for its part, experienced failure in 2017, five years in Serie D, four in Serie C and then the new return to D last summer. Similar parable, made of resistance and disappointments, which today makes this challenge more melancholy than fiery.
The wait is on a lower note, also due to the decision to ban visiting fans from the trip: a “half” derby, deprived of its most authentic flavor, that of the colors and passion of two rival teams, but never truly enemies. Yet, even without a guest audience, the charm of a match that wrote indelible pages in the sporting history of the two cities remains.
The latest from the field. On the pitch, Messina is looking for significant points to reduce the penalty and move up in the standings. Pippo Romano finds Zucco again, who guarantees balance in the middle of the pitch. Differentiated work for Tourè, Trasciani and Orlando: they will be evaluated in view of Sunday’s race. Bosia, however, is out, struggling with the injury that forced him to leave the field prematurely in the match against Enna. His use, with Orlando’s shift from fifth in midfield, has borne good fruit in the latest matches.
The initiative. Alongside football, there is also space for solidarity. On the occasion of Messina-Reggina, an initiative promoted by Asp and Avis was born, with the support of the Giallorossi club and the Reggina club. The AVIS blood bank will be present at the “Franco Scoglio” stadium: anyone who wants can donate blood before or after the match. A simple gesture, but fundamental for a city that is not yet self-sufficient in blood supplies.
Corporate implications. Returning to the Giallorossi colors, waiting for the derby but above all for the corporate implications. The hours following the derby will clarify the contours of the sale of the Acr business unit and it will be understood whether there will be an auction or a direct assignment to the Racing City Group, which has taken the first step. As is typical of these moments, rumors chase each other non-stop: interests, scenarios, chamber of commerce inspections, moves and strategies. But it matters little if they don’t lead to the only thing that matters, an offer to take the helm.
