League: San Giovanni strike big, Tre Fiori-Murata ends goalless

It proved once again to be extremely well balanced, just as in the two previous meetings in the regular season, the clash between Tre Fiori and Murata. The opening match of the BKN301 Campionato Sammarinese play-offs finishes goalless, leaving it to the second leg to decide who will book a place in the semi-finals. Tre Fiori threaten on 8 minutes with Mazzotti’s completely unmarked header, which he sends over from the middle of the box. After a quarter of an hour spent adjusting to the back three adopted by their opponents, Murata take control of possession and become dangerous through Echel shortly afterwards. The winger, named BKN301 Player of the Month before kick-off, curls his left-footed effort off target. The club from Città, wearing an unusual pink strip, are the better side – but they fail to turn it into a lead even with Petillo’s powerful header over the bar on 19 minutes. Shortly after, a defensive mix-up between Varrella and Nardi ends with the latter using all his experience to shove Cecconi – ready to pounce on the loose ball. From protesting a potential penalty not given, Murata risk falling behind: in the continuation of the same move, Bernardi exchanges passes with Fedeli and goes through on Benedettini, who comes out decisively. Affonso and Della Valle are off target with efforts from the edge, while Cecconi fails to hit the target from point-blank range. A ricochet between Rizzo and Echel sends the former Murata man clean through on goal, but his left-footed shot incredibly drifts wide. If anything, the second half offers even fewer thrills. After a couple of set pieces that come to nothing early on, we have to wait until the 79th minute to see another shot on target: it comes from Giaretta, deployed at full-back today, who tests Nardi from distance. Right at the death, Socciarelli lines up a shot from the edge of the area – but sends it miles over. With this result, Tre Fiori are obliged to win the return leg: a draw would see Murata through thanks to their better placing over the regular season. The other quarter-final scheduled today, between Cosmos and San Giovanni, takes off immediately. The Gialloverdi start on the front foot, earning three corners in the opening minutes: from one of these, Zulli finds space to shoot at the near post, but De Angelis reacts smartly to keep it out. San Giovanni’s reply is ferocious and at their first foray forward Augusto Garcia Rufer wins a penalty, fouled by Maggioli. The forward steps up himself but is denied by Aldo Simoncini. The Rossoneri soon have the chance to make amends, again from the spot: Prandelli fouls Azael Garcia Rufer and Beltrano points to the spot for the second penalty in three minutes. This time Aprea takes responsibility and sends Simoncini the wrong way, putting San Giovanni ahead. Buoyed by the opener, Tognacci’s side attack with the surging runs of Augusto Garcia Rufer and Corinti, while Cosmos respond with a weak right-footed effort from Prandelli from the middle of the area. The Gialloverdi, however, find the route to 1-1 with the last kick of the first half: thanks to a magnificent free-kick from Zulli, who finds the top corner. After the restart it is Cosmos who begin more enterprisingly, going close early on through Berardi and then with a shot-cross from Loiodice, tipped over the bar by De Angelis. The Rossoneri’s defensive organisation is generally solid and the match drifts towards the closing stages, where the first-leg result is decided. Substitutes Sapori and Contadini force both goalkeepers into action with ambitious long-range efforts, before Robba rises powerfully on 87 minutes to restore San Giovanni’s lead. The goal-scoring defender nets his eighth of the league campaign, beating Simoncini in the corner from a set play – Tognacci’s side’s trademark this season. Cosmos throw everything forward and are denied by the woodwork through Mularoni. A remarkable first-leg victory is thus sealed for Aprea and his team-mates in the BKN301 Campionato Sammarinese quarter-finals, allowing Tognacci’s men to go into next Wednesday’s return leg knowing that even a draw would be enough to secure a place in the semi-finals.

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