League: Piscaglia replies to Olcese as Virtus stay +5 clear after the big match

The most eagerly awaited match, the one that could have killed off or reopened the title race, ends in a draw that certainly suits Virtus more. The Neroverdi preserve their five‑point lead over La Fiorita with nine rounds still to play in the regular season, at the end of which the title will be awarded. The Gialloblù make a flying start in pursuit of a win which – on points – they would probably have deserved. La Fiorita hit the angle of post and bar through Cicarelli after four minutes, and they go close again in a goalmouth scramble on 15 minutes. The breakthrough comes on 31 minutes, when Olcese – from the ground – turns a loose ball into gold. Falling behind does not rattle Virtus, kept in it by a brave Passaniti who denies Massari’s surge into the box and then Vitaioli’s left‑footer. The Neroverdi’s worst first half in recent months gives way to a more purposeful second period, though still short of their usual technical level. On 60 minutes Bizzotto’s side draw level with a thumping header from Piscaglia, decisive from a corner. In the final half hour anything looks possible: Vivan holds a Buonocunto free‑kick, while Passaniti and Benincasa deal with the danger posed by Cicarelli and Gasperoni. The former Murata midfielder has the chance to make it 2-1 on 71 minutes, but blazes over from the edge of the area. It is no better for Zaccaria and Brighi, while the pinball off Olcese’s shoulder ends safely in Passaniti’s arms. The big match is played at tremendous intensity, with the defenders also shining. On exactly 90 minutes Lunadei is inches away from a wonder‑goal with a long‑range drop that shaves the top corner and sends a shiver through La Fiorita. The emotions are reversed at 90+3’, when substitute Piovaccari gets above everyone but heads just over the bar. The Montecchio big match finishes without winners or losers: a draw that feels harsh on the Montegiardino Gialloblù. At the end of a lively game, it is Cailungo instead who can raise their arms to the sky. In Dogana, though, it is Murata who start with greater conviction, forcing Gallinetta into action with Echel’s flying volley after just over 100 seconds. The reply comes via Colagiovanni, denied by a well‑timed low save from Martinez. The Bianconeri – wearing an all‑new total black strip – protest over a disallowed goal by Monterosso, who had been lost by Iuzzolino in marking. After two harmless efforts from Baldazzi and Labas, Hirsch takes centre stage. The former international releases Bastianelli through on goal, but the post denies the young winger the opener; he then lacks cutting edge when presented with a perfect Labas assist on 29 minutes. In the closing stages of the half, Salemme wastes two gilt‑edged chances from the heart of the box to put Murata ahead, leaving the outcome of the match to the second half. Labas fails to make the most of Hirsch’s fine work at the restart, while Echel skies a penalty in open play. Hirsch, on the other hand, shows no nerves and on 75 minutes scores a stunning goal: a giant slalom between two opponents and a right‑footed toe‑poke to beat Martinez for pace. It proves to be the three‑point goal for Cailungo, who burst into the play‑off race. Clearly Murata bring out the best in the Argentine‑born winger, who 13 months ago – in Fiorentino colours – scored another wonderful goal against the Bianconeri. Honours even between Domagnano and Cosmos, in a game that offers few talking points and, fittingly, ends goalless. That is also down to an excellent Colonna, sensational in clawing away Maggioli’s looping header on 15 minutes. The Gialloverdi keep control of possession, but the chances can be counted on the fingers of one hand: among them, a goal for Rinaldi ruled out for a prior foul by Fatica in his tussle with Buda. The first half closes with Cosmos protesting for an alleged handball in the area by Parma. The game never really takes off after the break either, despite a promising early run from Carbonara. Domagnano show signs of life on 64 minutes with a Merendino‑Moscardi combination, but the latter fails to make contact with his header from close range. In effect, it is the last chance of a match that is anything but gripping. Tre Penne rack up a third win on the spin, inspired by a lively Ceccaroli – who, however, has to bow to a miraculous reflex save by Manzaroli on 7 minutes. The Granata respond with a ball over the top from Pari, perfect for Michelotti’s run, but D’Addario’s impeccable covering tackle snuffs out the danger. After a De Queiroz header drifts wide, Tre Penne take the lead on 38 minutes: a fine move on the deck ends with a through ball for Ceccaroli, this time clinical. In the second half Cuomo squanders the chance to double the lead after brilliant play from the Sammarinese midfielder, twice a Crystal Ball winner. Libertas do not stand and watch and only an excellent reflex stop from Migani prevents Sow from equalising with a header. The decisive incident comes on 60 minutes, when Michelotti is sent off in a highly unusual episode: he commits two yellow‑card offences in the same move, and receives two bookings in quick succession after the second challenge (following the advantage previously played by the referee). Incidents like this are very rare, but there are high‑profile precedents even in Serie A with Rosetti – now Chairman of the UEFA Referees Committee. The path is cleared for a Tre Penne victory, and they seal the second goal through Guidi on 64 minutes, in the right place at the right time to tap into an empty net. It is not Libertas’ luckiest afternoon: after surviving a low drive from Dormi, they come within a whisker of scoring through Buzi. First to react to Migani’s save, he then finds team‑mate Sow’s body in his way, inadvertently blocking what could have been the goal to make it 2-1. A deserved win for Tre Penne, who along with Folgore are the only side in the race for seventh place to take all three points. Here is the fixture list for Matchday 21 of the Campionato Sammarinese: Click here for the updated league table.

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