«Messina, mostrami tutto il tuo coraggio per salvarci». Vincenzo Feola ci crede e lancia la sfida permanenza

A bonus to work on the team's attitude, on the tactics, on the philosophy of play. This is how Vincenzo Feola sees the break in the Serie D championship from the perspective of Messina, engaged in the relegation battle.

"It has been very important – admits the coach – it gives us the opportunity to work one more week and try to convey to the players a new methodology, a proactive idea of football".

A word, proactive, that aims to be the key word of the Messina branded Feola.

"We need to be proactive because, once we score the first goal, we cannot retreat and think only about defending because sooner or later we will give away an opportunity. Instead, we need to be proactive looking for the second goal. It’s a mentality that the players need to acquire, perhaps due to a legacy they had, maybe due to fear. But the first thing I told them when I arrived is that we need to have the courage to make plays and to play every match to win. Then maybe we won’t win, but it has to be the field, it has to be the opponent who is stronger than us. But we need to have the courage to do things".

And this is the attitude that the Campanian coach is trying to convey in training. "And there – smiles Feola – you can see they want to do. There has been a leap forward but, for example, in Favara, there was the fear of winning it. They just need to shake off the responsibility of wearing this jersey, the tension, and they need to play as they know. Always have ideas and we are putting this attitude into practice even in training".

There is awareness, among the giallorossi, of the difficulties of the end of the championship.

"Today what we did yesterday doesn’t matter. What matters are these eight matches to stay up and to do that we need to change our attitude".

On this aspect, Feola has been working for a month and is gradually trying to leave his mark. Also because Messina will face, from now until the end, many teams that are still fighting for a goal. Starting with next Sunday’s opponent, a Nissa in full promotion battle. Therefore, Messina cannot afford to lower the bar of attention.

"But we must keep it high at all times. We are not in a position to lower it given our standings. So whether it’s called Nissa, Ragusa, or Gelbison we must always be at our best; we must stay up. We need to think in steps: the first is not to end up in the last two positions; the second is to try to play the play-outs in the best possible position. Then, after that, everything that comes will be a gain".

Does this mean that Messina sees the possibility of achieving direct salvation more clearly?

"Absolutely, the possibility is there. But we need to take one step at a time, without taking a bigger step than we can".

Feola then gives an assessment of the group I that is proving to be very balanced. "It’s a strange, unusual championship. Today five teams competing for the championship haven’t been seen for many years. For now, all five up there, separated by three points, can win the championship. It will be determined by who has a better schedule, related to direct confrontations. Those who have fewer direct confrontations may be more advantaged".