There Virtus Messina was awarded an authentic appetizer of the playoffs, closing the regular season with the success on the San Paolino field, which is worth third place in the standings and the possibility of playing the playoff semi-final at home, in Bisconte, with the Roccavaldina. The San Paolino instead he remains fifth and will challenge the Malfa away. Before the match, a floral tribute offered by the president of Virtus Messina Gianluca Metallo to the San Paolino club, in memory of Pietro Pino, a coach who died at the beginning of 2024.
The teams of San Paolino and Virtus Messina
The match was tied until the half hour mark. In the 30th minute a dangerous action by San Paolino who reaches the penalty area, Pigeon he overtakes an opponent and ends up on the ground at the spot before being able to kick but for the referee everything is fine despite the protests of the home team. In the 34th minute the scenario is reversed: this time it is Virtus Messina who attacks, Little kitchen he enters the area from the right and is put down and the referee awards the penalty. Cucinotta himself takes the spot and coolly scores, displacing the goalkeeper.
In the second half the team led by Trischitta manages the advantage without taking great risks. The home team went in search of an equalizer with crosses into the area and long-range shots but risked being hit on the counterattack by the Giallorossi. Mister Tasty tries to shake things up with a couple of substitutions that manage to give a greater boost but the result remains stuck at 0-1 despite the long recovery. Now the long-awaited playoffs.
The coach of Virtus Messina Trischitta
UCSR SAN PAOLINO-VIRTUS MESSINA 0-1
Scorer: 35′ pt Cucinotta (rig.).
UCSR San Paolino: Nomefermo, Terrizzi (21′ st Cannistrà), Sottile (16′ st Saporita S.), Paone, Magazzù, De Gaetano (9′ st Sofia), D’Angelo, Cannuni (16′ st Doriore), Piccione , Lo Monaco, Donia (1′ st De Luca). Chillè, Formica, Saporita D., Grosso are available. All. S. Saporita.
Virtus Messina: Keita, Burrascano, Scarfì, Kagni, Caruso (41′ st Milicia), Pileggi, Cucinotta (18′ st Sumareh), Sandi, Trawally (13′ st Mutto), Kone (33′ st Nunnari), Panto (21 ′ st Paratore). Available: Traore, De Leo, Conteh. Annex N. Trischitta.
Referee: Diego Buda from Messina.
Notes – Expulsions: 49′ st Mutto (V), 50′ st D’Angelo (SP). Booked: De Gaetano, D’Angelo (SP). Burrascano, Scarfì, Mutto, Trawally and Paratore (V). Corners: 7 – 6. Recovery: 1′ – 6′.
