Messina Nuova Igea Virtus 1-0
Scorers: 19′ st Saverino
Messina: (3-5-2): Sorrentino 6; De Caro 6.5, Trasciani 6.5, Bosia 7 (27′ st Clemente 6); Maisano 5.5, Saverino 7 (31′ st Zucco 6), Garufi 6, Aprile 6, Bombaci 6.5 (27′ st Orlando 6); Toure 7 (39′ st Tesija sv), Roseti 6.5 (45′ st Fravola sv). Available Paduano, Azzara, Elia, Ivan. All. Romano 7.
Nuova Igea Virtus (3-5-2): De Falco 6; Cess 6.5, Maddaloni 6, May 6 (23′ st Mirashi 6); Cardinale 5.5 (12′ st Provazza 6), Joao Pedro 5.5 (18′ st Samake 5.5), Balsano 5.5, Calafiore 6.5, Squillace 6.5; Longo 6 (23′ st Vacca 5.5), Cicirello 5.5. Available Testagrossa, Atteo, Lomolino, Di Paola, Papaserio. All. Marra 6
Referee: Ambrosino di Torre del Greco 6.5
Notes: Corner: 2-3 – Recovery time: 1′ and 5′
The last home match of 2025 for Messina coincides with the success in the eagerly awaited derby against Nuova Igea Virtus. The Peloritani know how to suffer and make the most of one of the few opportunities of the match.
The Barcelona team started better and, in the first half, they were seen in Sorrentino’s area with Cicirello’s conclusion (rejected) and the excellent start of Longo who, in the 29th minute, put it in the middle but the ball crossed the entire area, with Cicirello and Joao Pedro not managing to deflect from two steps. For the locals, Bosia tries to worry De Falco, while towards the end of the half Cicirello again anticipates Sorrentino’s exit, but sends his header high.
Start of the second half at the same pace, with Nuova Igea Virtus playing the game and crushing Messina in their own half. The guests were more offensive with the entry of Samake, but in their best moment Messina struck: in the 19th minute Toure served Saverino in the area, who tried to exchange with Roseti, the ball remained there with a rebound and Saverino himself beat De Falco with a low shot with his right foot and made “Franco Scoglio” explode. The goal exalts the biancoscudati, much more reactive, while the Barcelona team, forced to chase, respond with attempts from Cicirello and Samake, but to no effect, while the best opportunity is still for Messina with Aprile, but De Falco lifts it in the corner. In the 46th minute Samake controls again at the limit, turns well and shoots just wide: shivers for Sorrentino, but it’s the last chance of the match.
Messina wins and further reduces the distance from the play-outs (-2) and direct salvation (-4), while Nuova Igea Virtus loses the match and tops the table, overtaken by Savoia.