League: Virtus v La Fiorita is the title crossroads with ten games to go

The Campionato Sammarinese returns with a full round of fixtures kicking off from 3:00 p.m. this coming Saturday and Sunday. Four matches will be played simultaneously across the two matchdays, all available live and free to stream on Titani.tv. A surge in connected devices is expected for Virtus v La Fiorita in Montecchio (Sunday, 3:00 p.m.). The clash between Bizzotto’s and Ceci’s teams, which opened the season with the Supercoppa Sammarinese – claimed by the Neroverdi – could mark the point of no return for the title ambitions of the Montegiardino club. Five points behind Virtus, La Fiorita simply cannot afford to slip up in this head-to-head. Should Buonocunto and his team‑mates prevail, the reigning champions would move eight points clear with just nine rounds left in the regular season that awards the Scudetto. One player per side returns from suspension: Zaccaria and Tortori are both available again. Sunday’s schedule also includes Domagnano v Cosmos. The Giallorossi are riding a wave of confidence after their narrow win over Tre Fiori, while Andy Selva’s side have yet to fully showcase their considerable potential. There were signs of it in Monday night’s game, although it still ended in defeat against Virtus (2-3). A negative note is the suspension of Badalassi, who picked up his fourth yellow card of the campaign. The same fate for Baffoni on the Domagnano side. Libertas v Tre Penne will also be played at the same time. In their last four outings, the Granata have scored and won only against San Marino Academy, a run that has seen Buda’s men slip out of the play-off places. That is, however, the almost certain destination for the club from Città, unbeaten in four but hit hard by suspensions: Amati, Nigretti and Vandi are all unavailable for this fixture, while coach Berardi is banned from the touchline for three months – after which a further three‑match suspension will begin. Cailungo v Murata completes the Sunday card: aside from the slip against Tre Fiori, December and January have shown that something has clicked in the Rossoverdi camp. Camillini’s group will need to take that into account if they are to extend their positive trend of five matches and as many clean sheets. Looking back to Saturday, San Marino Academy will have to make do with a reduced squad. No fewer than four players are suspended: goalkeeper Borasco, midfielder Cervellini and forward Santi are all ruled out, options Cecchetti will not be able to call on – and he too is sidelined by a three‑match ban. Molinari will also be forced to support his team‑mates from the stands after a suspension for accumulated bookings. In contrast, San Giovanni are going through a highly prolific spell in front of goal, scoring three times per game for three consecutive rounds. Tognacci will certainly be looking for improvements at the other end of the pitch, where the Rossoneri – especially recently – have been allowing their opponents too many chances. The club from Borgo Maggiore are fully involved in the battle to secure at least seventh place, a target that would spare them from having to contest the Preliminary Round. The teams immediately behind the two title contenders are far from out of this scrap as well. On paper, this could be a favourable round for Folgore – who start as favourites in the derby against Juvenes-Dogana, even though Achille Fabbri will welcome back two key players in Cevoli and Merli, both returning from suspension. The other city derby of the weekend is right in the heart of the play-off zone: Fiorentino and Tre Fiori are separated by just one point in the table, sitting fourth and fifth respectively. Entertainment and intensity are guaranteed, though unfortunately Censoni will only be watching from the stands after picking up his fourth yellow card of the season. Among Saturday’s early fixtures is also Faetano v Pennarossa: Chiesanuova’s side would need a sporting miracle to get back in the race, given their 12‑point deficit to the play-off threshold and the five teams they would have to overtake. Among those are Faetano who, together with Domagnano, occupy the last spots that grant access to the postseason. Mario Dulcetti will miss out after being sent off in the previous round. Here is the fixture list for Matchday 21 of the Campionato Sammarinese: Click here for the updated league table

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