The 5 point penalty to Igea Virtus rewrites the ranking, changes the contents of Sunday’s match but not Reggina’s prospects. The Amaranth team’s need remains that of making full haul in Sicily, in light of the fact that league leaders Athletic Palermo (today at +4) hosts bottom team Paternò. Anything can happen in football, but finding yourself at -7 or -6 from the first match with seven matchdays to go would be close to being a de profundis for any comeback ambition. This is why looking at the situation from fourth place, as it was yesterday before the Tfn ruling, or from third place in cohabitation with Nissa as it is now makes almost no difference. However, the feeling is that Torrisi’s team could face a different match on Sunday than what could have been foreseen. An evolution which, paradoxically, makes comparison even more difficult. Not winning would mean saying goodbye to the dreams of glory for the Barcelona team too, waiting and without the certainty that a possible appeal will cancel or reduce the penalty.
As of today, with six points to make up on the leaders, the Sicilians will necessarily have to play the match with the aim of bringing home the three points. Will we see an opponent who will finally face Reggina head-on? It seems difficult, considering the well-known amaranth difficulties in dismantling entrenched defenses. However, the Sicilians will have to do something to keep this championship alive.
On the one hand, the latest developments could take pressure off Nuova Igea Virtus and we know how much Reggina suffers from teams that have nothing to lose. On the other hand, the Amaranths could find an angry team eager to fight for every ball to give a response to what happened off the pitch. The players from the Strait team have not always been reactive in countering on these fronts, but this time it could truly be the last call and a proud team is expected.
The empty passes that Reggina has allowed itself in this championship do not generate unconditional optimism in the Reggio environment. However, there is a desire to play for it and it is hoped that the performances of the best phases of the year can be reviewed. Yesterday Torrisi’s men resumed training and did so behind closed doors. There will certainly be no Di Grazia in Barcelona, for whom we will have to wait a couple of weeks before we can put the muscle problem to rest. However, it remains to be understood how much longer there will be to wait for Barillà’s return.
