Messina, it was a positive year. But a better future must be planned now

The Messina experienced a positive season, disproving the pessimistic summer forecasts. The postponements of the matches against Taranto and Casertana had an impact at the start, imposing a fatal tour de force in November for a short squad, which was then shored up in January. But the reaction was convincing and from Monterosi the team has changed its face also thanks to Rosafio and the transition to 4-2-3-1. The company of Casertathe first leg derby won against Catania and the double success against vice-leaders Avellino are the best moments of a year which recorded an increase in attendance in the stands and a partial reconciliation with a wounded environment.

It’s a shame for the many refereeing mistakes (Crotone above all, in addition to the incredible lack of penalties at home, which has lasted for three years) and a few too many wasted opportunities at the “Franco Scoglio” (Turris, Brindisi, Latina, Cerignola and Foggia), which made a playoff dream disappear which proved to be within reach. The coach Giacomo is returning from a disappointing year in Vibo Valentia Modica has been able to relaunch itself, carving out a new role in ad Ortisiinsisting on his ideas and aiming with Rome at the faithful, from Throat to Leahfrom Frank to Emmaussowho scored 10 goals after scoring nine in the previous three years.

Zeman’s former deputy was able to involve the public and lash out at an environment depressed by fifteen dark years. The sports director Domenico Romepractically making his debut in Serie C, was greeted with irony and perplexity but confirmed his great skills in terms of scouting, drawing many jokers, from Zunno to Frisennafrom Save to Dumbravanu. With the 17th group budget and many logistical limitations, we couldn’t expect more. He deserves, together with the technician with whom he has already worked on several occasions, confirmation and greater margins for maneuver. The company must be recognized for the intuition of choosing Rome and Modica, putting aside the misunderstandings of seven years earlier.

Even the choice to rely on Mario Good sir And Front it brought the sponsors that had always been missing and renewed visibility. However, the absence of a real general manager seems to have had an impact. President Pietro Silly, inhibited, remained silent for a long time and on hot topics such as structures and refereeing only Modica exposed itself, at times exceeding, clashing with a Municipality capable at least of resolving the turf issue. To give continuity to a positive year and increase ambitions, as the square is clamoring for, greater organisation, investments and a renewed feeling with the city and institutions are needed, which is still distant despite the link to the same political movement of the Giallorossi vice-president Matteo Sciotto , the mayor Federico Basile and the sports councilor Massimo Finocchiaro.

Suffice it to say that while the Palermo inaugurates a cutting-edge sports center in Europe and the Catania and the Trapani newly promoted dream of other categories with millionaire investments, in Messina the boiler in the stadium has remained an unresolved issue for years. Even if compared to the past there has been a commitment in this sense from the Administration. The complaints of organized supporters risk further slowing down planning, as has happened for years, fueling the doubts of an ownership that seemed to have regained a credit of trust from the square, which instead returned to protest loudly with the sound of chants and banners.

Emmausso embraced by his companions (photo Paolo Furrer)

Temporizing will represent an assistance for potential buyers, who however will have to be credible and ready to invest rather than waiting for the current owner to formalize registration and guarantee, as has happened in the recent past, when the intentions of disengagement have never materialised. proven irrevocable. There planning he will have to leave quickly also because the coach Modica and the sporting director Roma (expiring), the promising Salvo and Frisenna and a cover Emmausso (all under contract) could become market men, even if the playmaker from Scampia has already made it clear that without sensational news is ready to return to training camp to honor his contract. There is a basis from which to start again compared to the past but in football you cannot stop for too long to reflect.