Fans are holding their breath: while the entire football world is focused on Euro 2020 (which, as we know, keeps its name), in Italy’s Serie D, duo Messina are playing their own game. They have 2 matches left to decide who: ACR or FC? Never mix up the names in Italian, double-check your info, stay updated on who Francesco Lodi is, and don’t burn out!
Paterno vs. FC Messina: Investments in the future or what’s Carbonaro got to do with it?
In the list of attackers (which in Italian football terms means forward, attacking player, striker) for Messina, which is FC, is Francesco Lodi. If you don’t know him, another list does: the one where all Serie D attackers are listed. In it, Francesco has 12 goals, and at 37, this experienced player is 5th (all of Serie D, as you understand). In his career, Lodi has played for Empoli, Catania, Triestina (from where he moved to Messina as a free agent), as well as Parma and Udinese. From that, you can conclude that Italian football — he’s played in almost all leagues — is very familiar to him. And that shows in Messina FC’s results: an average of 1.53 goals scored per match (ats — the indicator of average goals scored per game). Messina is currently in second place and really wants to win the improvised race for Group I against ACR (that’s the letter ‘i’, not a Roman numeral — stay attentive and creative):
They are playing against Paterno, who are in 12th place. In the context of the championship — still talking about Serie D, don’t forget! — these clubs met on February 7, when Messina won. The score was 1:0, with a goal in the 66th minute by who would you guess? No, not Lodi. It was Carbonaro, whose Italian surname you shouldn’t confuse with carabinieri and similar words. Bookmakers had set the line for the hosts that day: FC Messina at 1.59; today the odds are even more convincing (check the quotes). And that’s no coincidence! Since May 19, the main newsmakers of Serie D have had 3 wins in a row, and overall (since the away match against San Luca, which ended 1:0) after February 21, Messina (in second place, not another team) has only one loss. And that was against direct rivals, also Messina, but specifically ACR. Meanwhile, as everyone is googling those delightful Italian word combinations full of meaning, the smartest and most solid bet in this game is to take Messina (-1) at 1.67
ASD Troina 1968 vs. Cittanovese: A recipe for success or is there a Lukaku on Sicily?
The opening line from recreational bookmakers tells us: Troina (Sicilians would correct it to Truina) is at 2.1, and Cittanovese at 3.3; draw odds are completely irrelevant, but if you’re curious, it’s 3.34, and it’s clear why. Simply, Cittanovese has a 4/3/9 record away, the teams are positioned close in the standings (13th and 14th places), and in Italian football, the home ground factor is huge. The game will take place at Silvio Proto Stadium, in Sicily, Enna province. It’s energetically great to play on a stadium that holds 1000 seats! By the way, when the teams met at Stadio Communale Morredle Proto (don’t confuse it with pronto), the game ended 0:1 in favor of ASD Troina 1968. That was on May 12, and by June 30, an interesting situation has developed.
Troina right now: 25 goals in 33 games, which means they have the worst attack in Serie D Group I (group is like girone, just meaning group, no contradictions: synonyms). They’re the worst, of course, not counting Roccella, which is completely dismal and sits in last place, 18th, with a goal difference of 24:61, but we’re not talking about them;
we’re talking about the fact that in today’s hosts’ lineup is Luca Ficarotta, he’s 30, born on August 30, 1990, but he’s… Not Lukaku! Think it’s just for the sound? Not at all: Romelu is the Belgian attacker, while Ficarotta is an Italian midfielder. Interestingly, the average age of the team (Truina) is 22.6, and the odds — surprisingly! — don’t reflect that the team is young. But. We’re able to open our minds. Compare the numbers. Remember that for Città della no vese (an Italian football pun), Alessio Viola plays (Foggia, Albinoleffe, Taranto, Monza, Reggina). And… Go with nearly 3 for Cittanovese!
ASDL 1931 vs. Saint Agata: A straightforward match or go for Licata Indelicato!
Città di Sant’Agata or I Santi — that’s the big Sicily question today for those who know how to google Cala Paradiso (a spot in Licata). And for those who don’t fancy googling, of course, betting on Italian football will appeal. The base total for the game of the sky-blue eagles (as they’re called in Sicily) is set by bookmakers as 2.5, with over at 2.02, even though ASDL 1931’s lineup (simply put, Licata) includes Indelicato and Antonio Cannavò. This 29-year-old attacker has 10 goals in Group I, which hints at something.
Bookies somehow overlooked the first match between these clubs, not putting out a decent line. Nothing extraordinary happened there: In the 85th minute, Indelicato scored, it was on February 7 at the Città de S Agata stadium (currently 15th in Serie D). Licata, by the way, is now in 10th place, suggesting a relaxed style of play. Licata scores an average of 1.03 goals (average scored and conceded), while Saint Agata has 26 goals and isn’t far (or rather, is close) from the mentioned Troina. All these factors, or as they say, drawing logical conclusions, suggest: There’s something to watch at Paradiso today!
Enjoy the football, watch Euro 2020, and don’t forget about Italian football 🙂
