League: La Fiorita tighten their grip on top spot as fog reigns in Montecchio

It finishes goalless – at the end of a match in which play and visibility were heavily compromised by fog for at least 70 minutes – the headline clash of the day between Virtus and Cosmos. The best defences in the league live up to their billing, serving up a 0-0 with few alarms for Simoncini, and far more – and more dangerous – ones for Passaniti. Cosmos threaten right away with a dangerous header from Zulli. Huge is the opportunity that – on the record – ends up squandered by Prandelli: from a corner the striker finds himself shooting from the edge of the six-yard box with Passaniti on the ground, only to see Giacomoni’s foot block it on the goal line. It is hard to say whether the ball crossed the line; Cenci and Tuttifrutti opt for a legitimate last-gasp clearance in extremis. From then until the 75th minute, the star of the show is the fog, which not even a thunderous strike from Zulli can pierce. Cosmos look the better side, but Virtus hold out well, relying on an outstanding Passaniti – the best player on the pitch. Bizzotto’s side come out strongly in the closing stages, but cannot find the gap to inflict yet another disappointment on Serravalle’s Gialloverdi. The result is greeted with delight by La Fiorita, who deal with Faetano in clinical fashion with a commanding 4-0. Not even Mema’s extraordinary form – the midfielder was awarded Player of the Month for November before kick-off – could keep the reigning champions in check. After wasteful efforts from Vitaioli and Bartolini in the opening quarter of an hour, they strike twice at the end of the half. In between, two Faetano attempts from Mema and Giardi are comfortably dealt with by Vivan. The opening goal arrives on 42 minutes, scored by Grassi from a corner. Two minutes later comes the second, signed by Zafferani. The San Marino full-back turns a looping ball just outside the penalty area into gold, catching it perfectly to pick out the far corner with a stunning right-footed volley. At the start of the second half Vitaioli and Pancotti lack conviction in front of Porcellini. The recordman for appearances with the San Marino national team (80 caps and 1 goal) makes amends by turning in the 3-0 from close range. Finally, on 74 minutes, Fatica imposes his physical presence in the opposition box and heads home the Gialloblù’s fourth. La Fiorita stay top, four points clear of Cosmos and safe from being overtaken during their rest day, which Serravalle’s side – packed with former players – have already taken. It looked as though the fog might spare Cailungo and Murata, but instead it smothered the second half, in which Cailungo fully justified a handsome win that, however, does not tell the story of a central phase of the game when Murata were on top. It was a perfect Saturday for the Rossoverdi, set in motion by a moment of magic from a Giangrandi free-kick, his wonderfully delicate left-footed effort clearing the wall and leaving Manzaroli rooted to the spot. After almost making it 2-0 straight away through Apezteguia – who then claimed for a penalty that never came – Cailungo repeatedly run into a defiant Manzaroli. The first meaningful foray from the Bianconeri – wearing all turquoise today – comes via Comuniello, whose angled drive forces Benedettini into a save on 25 minutes. It is the visitors’ best spell, but Sarti’s men cannot find an equaliser, not even with Gaiani before the break. After the restart, it takes Cailungo just twenty seconds to carve out a chance with Giangrandi, before surviving by the skin of their teeth when Patregnani fires a left-footer goalwards. From the second of two consecutive corners, Murata think they have equalised through Grieco, but he is caught in an off-side position by Morisco. The city side would have deserved the 1-1, but their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal and some good saves from Benedettini preserve Cailungo’s lead, which is doubled on 64 minutes via the Apezteguia-Quaranta axis, the San Marino defender rounding Manzaroli before scoring. Murata feel the blow and also concede the third to Joel Apezteguia, set up by Juri Biordi a quarter of an hour from time. There is still time for the Rossoverdi to complete the poker, finished off by Marinaro. Deep into added time, Murata’s consolation goal is scored by Grieco. The draw in Acquaviva between Domagnano and Libertas does little for either side. Barone has the first attempt from a set piece, but Colonna is not surprised. It is effectively the only notable incident of a soporific first half, which gives way to a lively second period packed with action, talking points and chances either taken or squandered in incredible fashion. It starts with a splendid, one-touch, end-to-end move beginning with the goalkeeper and flowing through Costa, Sapori and Aruci – the latter superb in releasing the pace of Bucci, who cuts inside on his right to lose the last defender and leaves Colonna with no chance. Domagnano feel the blow and come within a whisker of a knockout, but Bucci wastes it, skying over from close range with all the time in the world. Lago does no better when, inadvertently sent through by Merendino, he rounds Zavoli but fails to find the empty net with his left foot. The Wolves, though, are in the game and, after a powerful central drive from Fedeli, the equaliser arrives on 73 minutes from captain Angelini, on an assist from Ramiro Lago, who redeems his earlier howler. Late on, Barone tests Colonna directly from a corner, while Angelini tries again from the edge of the area but is off target. The second half can be summed up in the move that takes Libertas to within a breath of victory on 86 minutes: Olcese bullies his way to the ball and attempts a 40-metre lob, only to be denied by the crossbar. The ensuing tap-in into an empty net, incredibly missed by Bucci, encapsulates Libertas’ current spell – extremely short of luck in front of goal. Tomorrow it is Tre Penne’s turn; they could leapfrog both Cosmos and Virtus in one go, provided they beat San Giovanni. Tre Fiori also want to keep pace with La Fiorita as they take on city rivals Fiorentino. Finally, Juvenes-Dogana and Pennarossa will face off to understand what their ambitions really are: tenth and eleventh place, judging by Juvenes-Dogana’s recent seasons and Pennarossa’s performances this year, are decidedly misleading, even if they are the undeniable verdict of the pitch. Here is the partial picture of matchday eleven; tomorrow’s fixtures will be shown live and free on Titani.tv:

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