BKN301 Championship: no change at the top

Nothing changes at the top. The big match of the 19th round of the BKN301 San Marino Championship between Cosmos and La Fiorita ends in a draw, meaning the yellow and blues from Montegiardino stay in front with just a one-point lead over the green and yellows from Serravalle. After a first half with few emotions, the game comes to life after the break. It is Danilo Rinaldi who breaks the deadlock on 57 minutes: Sami Abouzziane whips in a cross from the left for the National Team striker, who beats Aldo Simoncini with a header. Rinaldi had already scored in the reverse fixture – won by the yellow and blues last October – and again in midweek with his late winner against Cailungo. Nicola Berardi’s Cosmos, however, react and just six minutes later Mirko Palazzi swings in a cross from the left towards Nisi, who on the stretch hits the post, but on the rebound Tommaso Guidi is there to slot home a precious equaliser. The match remains on a knife-edge right to the end and the last chance falls to La Fiorita in stoppage time from a free-kick on the edge of the box; Grassi steps up, but Simoncini is alert and keeps it out. In Acquaviva it therefore finishes 1-1, just as it does in Domagnano in the clash between San Giovanni and Cailungo, the other early kick-off played at 15:00. Both goals arrive in the first half: it is Protti’s side who open the scoring thanks to a fine right-footed strike from distance by Armando Senja, which nestles into the corner where De Angelis cannot reach. Tognacci’s red and blacks, however, do not give up and find the equaliser just four minutes later: a poor ball lost by the Cailungo backline, Bruma pounces, wins it back and shoots from the edge of the area; the ball curls well but comes back off the post, and on the rebound the quickest to react is Nicola Sartini, who easily tucks away the 1-1. In the second half the defences marshalled by Benedettini and De Angelis hold firm and both teams head to the dressing rooms with a point apiece, which moves the table slightly. The draw in the other early match, played at 18:30 between Murata and Juvenes-Dogana, is just as thrilling. The black and whites – coming into the match in good form after two consecutive wins – take the lead on the quarter-hour thanks to yet another goal from Raul Ura (now on eight in the league), aided by Gentilini, who is less than flawless on the number 90’s shot from distance. Amati’s team – with the coach back on the bench after suspension – find the equaliser on the half-hour when Merli picks out Giacomo Borghini, who unleashes a powerful right-footed strike that beats Gueye. At the end of the first half, moreover, Stella looks to race through on goal but Fabio Vitaioli brings him down when clean through; for the referee it is a straight red for the Murata captain. After the restart, Juvenes-Dogana believe in it with the extra man and on 71 minutes they turn it around thanks to a powerful and precise right-footed effort from Davide Merli from outside the box that catches Gueye out. But Angelini’s side do not give up and in the 86th minute they find an incredible equaliser: the tireless Ura does well down the left and fires the ball across, and arriving at the far post like an eagle – worthy of the black and white club’s symbol – is Jacopo Semprini, who fires home the final 2-2. Tomorrow brings another rich menu with four matches to round off the weekend, all worth following: all eyes on Tre Fiori–Tre Penne, both looking for points to close the gap on the top. An interesting clash also awaits between Libertas and Virtus. A reminder that all the matches will be available to watch free of charge, with commentary, on the Titani.tv streaming platform. Here is the updated picture from the 19th round of the San Marino Championship:

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