Avellino-Messina 0-1
MARKER: 26′ pt Manetta
AVELLINO (3-4-3) Ghidotti 5.5; Rigione 5.5 (1′ st Dall’Oglio 5), Cionek 6, Frascatore 6; Cancellotti 5 (9′ st Ricciardi 5), De Cristofaro 5, Armellino 5.5, Tito 5.5; Sgarbi 5 (23′ st Gori 5.5), Patierno 5.5 (23′ st Marconi 5.5), D’Ausilio 5.5 (23′ st Rocca 5.5). Available: Pane, Pizzella, Russo, Mulé, Pezzella, Llano, Liotti. Annex Patience 4.5
MESSINA (4-2-3-1) AND. Fumagalli 7; Lia 6.5 (27′ st Civilleri 6), Manetta 7, Dumbravanu 6.5, Ortisi 6.5; Franco 6 (43′ st Giunta ng), Frisenna 6.5; Ragusa 6, Emmausso 6.5 (43′ st Luciani ng), Zunno 6.5 (21′ st Scafetta 6); Plescia 5.5 (27′ st Florence 6). Available Piana, Zona, Signorile, Cavallo, Rosafio, Crisafulli, J. Fumagalli. Annex Modica 7
REFEREE Rinaldi of Bassano del Grappa 6.5
NOTE: approximately 6,000 spectators. La Porta (Avellino assistant coach) and Costa (Messina operations director) were sent off in the 53rd minute for non-compliant behaviour. Frascatore, E. Fumagalli, Patierno, Dall’Oglio, Cionek, Scafetta are booked. Corners 5-5. Recovery time pt 3′ + 6′, st 4′.
But what a great game Messina was: almost effortlessly they got rid of one of the most popular opponents in the group, built with the finest players, sparing no expense. Costing a tenth of what this Avellino cost, Messina took the liberty of beating him at home and away, with the same result, putting the Irpinians in a tunnel made of whistles and chants of disapproval launched by their enraged fans, end of game.
A goal from Manetta was enough for the Giallorossi of Modica, who were well placed on the pitch, organised, cheerful. They risked only on two occasions: on Patierno’s right-footed volley, in the 5th minute, and on Sgarbi’s counterattack, which left Dumbravanu behind, but in front of Fumagalli, who was also sensational at the start of the match, he allowed himself to be hypnotized, wasting the more delicious opportunity to draw the match.