Welcome to the coverage of the final matchday of Serie C Group C, featuring Messina against Juventus Next Gen. Juventus, led by coach Massimo Brambilla, had already successfully secured their spot in the playoffs with a game to spare following their victory over Cavese in the previous round.
Official Starting Lineups
ACR Messina: Krapikas; Garofalo, Gelli, Lia, Tordini, Gyamfi, Petrucci, Luciani, Crimi, Buchel, Dumbravanu. Substitutes: Curtosi, De Sena, Marino, Haveri, Chiarella, Mameli, Pedicillo, Vicario, Anzelmo, Morichelli, Dell`Aquila, Costantino. Coach: Gatto.
Juventus Next Gen: Garofani; Turco, Citi, Gil Puche; Pietrelli, Owusu, Faticanti, Amaradio, Puczka; Guerra, Anghelè. Substitutes: Scaglia S., Daffara, Macca, Comenencia, Mancini, Cudrig, Villa, Deme, Papadopoulos, Quattrocchi, Silva Semedo. Coach: Brambilla.
Match Events
Before the match commenced, the teams observed a minute of silence to commemorate the passing of Pope Francis.
1` – The first half kicks off, with Juventus Next Gen starting the play.
2` – Messina shows early intent as Tordini attempts to surprise Garofani with a powerful curling shot from distance, narrowly missing the target.
6` – The opening minutes see a high tempo from both sides.
9` – Juventus has an opportunity initiated and finished by Guerra, who attempts an overhead kick from Pietrelli`s cross, but the ball goes just wide.
12` – Messina`s first real chance comes from Puckza, whose dangerous left-footed shot is pushed away for a corner by Krapikas.
13` – RED CARD FOR GIL PUCHE! The Juventus player is shown a direct red card for a clear hold on an opponent.
14` – Messina earns a dangerous free-kick. Buchel`s attempt is tipped away for a corner by Garofani, maintaining the 0-0 score.
18` – Play is temporarily halted as Messina`s Gelli requires medical attention and is limping off the field.
19` – The match resumes.
22` – GOAL! 1-0 MESSINA: Tordini opens the scoring for Messina with a controlled shot from distance that finds the top corner.
24` – Galvanized by the goal and the man advantage, Messina presses high, causing difficulty for the nine-man Bianconeri.
25` – Messina has another chance as Lia crosses towards Luciani in the box, but his header is easily saved by Garofani.
28` – GOAL! 2-0 MESSINA: Luciani doubles the lead. Garofalo`s cross finds Luciani`s head, and this time the number 18 makes no mistake.
31` – The first yellow card of the match is shown to Lia for a foul on Amaradio.
33` – Juventus shows a timid reaction through Anghelè. His curling right-footed shot from inside the area is saved by Krapikas.
37` – Luciani scores what would be the third goal, but the assistant referee flags the yellow and red forward for offside.
40` – Messina is in complete control of the match.
42` – Messina comes very close to making it 3-0 through Garofalo, but the offside flag is raised again.
45` – Two minutes of added time are announced.
Half Time: Messina 2-0 Juventus Next Gen.
46` – The second half begins, with Messina kicking off.
46` – Juventus makes their first substitution at halftime: Comenencia replaces Anghelè.
47` – Messina is immediately dangerous in the second half with Gelli`s header in the box, but Garofani makes a good save to concede a corner.
49` – GOAL! 2-1 JUVENTUS NEXT GEN: Amaradio pulls a goal back for Juventus. Guerra does well to retrieve a blocked shot from Puczka and cross it back into the middle for Amaradio to finish.
54` – Opportunity for Messina! Petrucci wins the ball from Pietrelli and plays it vertically to Garofalo, who shoots across goal inside the area. Garofani makes a great save.
59` – Messina threatens again! Luciani attempts a first-time shot towards goal, but an opponent`s challenge prevents him from making clean contact.
63` – Juventus makes a double substitution: Mancini and Deme replace Guerra and Amaradio.
70` – Messina makes their first substitution: Pedicillo comes on for Petrucci.
73` – Play is momentarily stopped as Messina`s Gyamfi receives medical attention and is unable to continue.
74` – Forced substitutions for Messina: Marino and Haveri replace Lia and Gyamfi.
79` – Juventus attempts to create something through Deme: his curling right-footed shot from outside the area goes high over the bar.
80` – Ten minutes remaining plus added time.
83` – Further changes for Messina: Costantino and De Sena come on for Tordini and Luciani.
84` – Juventus makes their final substitution: Papadopoulos replaces Owusu.
88` – RED CARD FOR CITI! A direct red card is shown to the Bianconeri number 24 for bringing down Costantino at the edge of the area, reducing Juventus to nine men.
90` – Seven minutes of added time are announced.
90` + 3` – Despite being two players down, Juventus attempts to attack with Deme and wins a corner.
Full Time. The match concludes with a 2-1 victory for Messina.
Following the final whistle and Giugliano`s defeat against Benevento, Juventus Next Gen is mathematically confirmed as finishing in the ninth position in Group C.