Serie A Week 2 - 19/9/04 (15.00)
Messina 4 - 3 Roma
Parisi pen 20 (M), Montella 35, 64, 71 (R), Sullo 46 (M), Giampa' 74 (M), Zampagna 77 (M)
Stadio San Filippo
Vincenzo Montella's hat-trick was not enough to rescue Roma from defeat as Messina mark their return to Serie A with a spectacular seven-goal thriller.
Roma have had a disastrous week with Antonio Cassano's two-match ban and subsequent walk-out, the Champions' League game with Dynamo Kiev abandoned when the referee was struck by a coin and Francesco Totti's bitter media row with ex-Coach Fabio Capello.
Totti was also out with a muscular injury, but Matteo Ferrari was able to make his Serie A debut in the Giallorossi jersey after the one-match ban. Vincenzo Montella took charge of striking duties with youngster Daniele Corvia as his partner. Daniele De Rossi was surprisingly left on the bench.
Messina held Parma to a 0-0 draw at the Tardini last week and the home fans were out in force to celebrate their return to Serie A in Sicily. The front two was completely changed from last Sunday, as Arturo Di Napoli partnered Riccardo Zampagna.
The pitch was heavy with the recent rainfall and Ivan Pelizzoli was alert to block a deflected Alessandro Parisi free kick.
There was controversy on 19 minutes when Pierluigi Collina pointed to the spot for a Philippe Mexes push on Zoro, although there were doubts over how serious this contact actually was. Nonetheless, Parisi stepped up and beat Pelizzoli on the left.
Roma slowly got into gear and Montella's through ball found Vincent Candela only for his finish to be closed down by Marco Storari's rush off his line.
The Giallorossi were really pushing and went close with a Christian Panucci header before Montella grabbed his second goal of the season. The ball was held up by Corvia and a defensive error allowed the Aeroplanino to slide home from close range.
However, in the first minute of the second half Messina restored their lead. Zampagna's spectacular volley was palmed on to the upright and Salvatore Sullo pounced on the loose ball.
Roma reacted well and a chipped Mexes pass allowed Montella to spring the offside trap, but his fine volley was fingertipped round the post by Storari.
The Giallorossi are staying afloat with Montella's goals alone at the moment and he grabbed his third of the campaign with a fierce piledriver from the edge of the box that slotted into the far corner.
Egyptian striker Mido made his Serie A debut as a substitute and was booked moments later for a crunching tackle.
But there were no doubts over who would be the star of this show. Mido's wayward header turned into an assist for Montella to tap in from six yards and complete his hat-trick.
Montella was forced off with an injury when he was clattered in to by Luca Fusco, and moments later Messina made it 3-3. A Parisi free kick was accidentally held up by Ferrari and Domenico Giampa' was quick to pounce on the loose ball with a powerful finish.
Roma collapsed and Messina took the lead on 77 minutes with a magnificent finish from Riccardo Zampagna. Panucci kept the player on side and he placed an inspired lob over the head of Pelizzoli and into the empty net.
Mido and Marco Delvecchio wasted good chances and with the final kick of the game Iliev's counter-attack saw him fire straight at Pelizzoli, but it was enough to ensure this historic victory.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Messina: Storari; Zoro, Fusco (Zanchi 86), Rezaei, Parisi; Giampa, Donati, Coppola, Sullo (Conte 80); Di Napoli (Iliev 59), Zampagna
Roma: Pelizzoli; Panucci, Mexes, Ferrari, Cufre; Mancini, Perrotta, Dacourt, Candela (Delvecchio 62); Montella (Aquilani 73), Corvia (Mido 61)
Ref: Collina