Derby dello Stretto explained

Derby dello Stretto
Other Names:Derby of the Strait
City Or Region:Southern Italy
First Contested:Messina 2-2 Reggina
1928-29 Campionato Meridionale
(23 December 1928)
Most Wins:Messina (32)
Mostrecent:Messina 2–0 Reggina
2016–17 Lega Pro
(29 December 2016)
Stadiums:Stadio San Filippo (Messina)
Stadio Oreste Granillo
(Reggio Calabria)

The Derby dello Stretto is an association football derby in Southern Italy contested by Messina and Reggina. The phrase translates into English as Derby of the Strait, since the two clubs are based in the towns of Messina and Reggio Calabria on the opposite sides of the Strait of Messina which separates mainland Italy from Sicily.

The derby has mostly been played in lower level and cup competitions. Only six derbies have been played in Serie A, during the three seasons from 2004 to 2007 when both clubs played in the Italian top level. At the end of the 2006–07 season Messina were relegated, followed by Reggina in 2008–09. As of the 2016–17 season, both clubs play in Group C of the Lega Pro, one of the three regional groups of the Italian third level.

Statistics

As of 28 April 2017

CompetitionGames playedWinsDraws
width=15%Messinawidth=15%Reggina
Serie A6321
Serie B[1] 18666
Serie C[2] 3516136
Total league59252113
Coppa Italia[3] 4211
Coppa Italia Serie C12552
Total Coppa Italia16763
Total75322716

Notes and References

  1. Includes Seconda Divisione 1923-1924 and Campionato Meridionale 1928-1929.
  2. Includes Seconda Divisione 1926-1927, Prima Divisione 1930-1931, 1931-1932, and Lega Pro 2014-2015.
  3. Includes Coppa Italia 1938-1939.