League: Murata on the verge of the play-offs, title race to be decided on the final day

Murata are one step away from booking their ticket to the post-season, an outcome that seemed unlikely after a complicated start to the campaign. Angelini’s impact has been decisive, with the Bianconeri putting together six wins and five draws in the second half of the season, which for Ura and his team-mates will conclude next weekend against Domagnano. On that occasion, Angelini’s side can also target seventh place, which would mean avoiding the Preliminary Round. That is what the goalless draw with Libertas in Domagnano has delivered, after a match in which both teams went close to scoring. And if Murata are so close to the play-offs, they also owe it to a Virtus side who managed to beat San Giovanni with a goal in each half. Still without a recognised goalkeeper, this time from the first minute and with midfielder Pedrini again between the sticks, Bizzotto’s team took the lead right at the end of the first half through a stunning overhead kick from Tortori. A goal to watch over and over again: on Pirini’s floated cross, the coordination of the black-and-green winger was a pure tribute to the beauty of football. After the break, San Giovanni’s difficulties in finding the net were once again evident (the Rossoneri have the league’s worst attack, averaging one goal per game), while Virtus killed off the contest on the counter-attack through Pietro Sopranzi. It is eight league goals for the 25-year-old Sammarinese, while Pedrini – in only his second career outing in goal – can celebrate a clean sheet to remember. Unable to climb into third place, Bizzotto’s Neroverdi still have the chance to fight for fourth on the final matchday, should Tre Fiori defeat La Fiorita in tomorrow’s clash. The title duel between Tre Penne and Cosmos continues, with both sides again winning their respective fixtures against Pennarossa and Folgore. Ceci’s team broke the deadlock immediately, when a driving run from Ceccaroli sparked a scramble in the box that was settled by the sharp reactions of Pieri. The game was steered onto the right track for the San Marino runners-up, although they needed another eighty minutes to put the seal on this important victory. In another goalmouth scramble, this time it was Badalassi who found the right bounce to beat Boujir from the middle of the penalty area and allow Tre Penne to go into their meeting with Faetano with the chance to sew the Scudetto onto their shirts with a win. That is inevitably also the goal for Cosmos, who will have one ear tuned to events between Faetano and Tre Penne. Berardi’s men will close out the league season against Tre Fiori. If any further proof were needed, Cosmos confirmed their quality against a Folgore side in full-blown crisis. At half-time the Gialloverdi were 4-0 up, with Guidi hitting a brace in six minutes, his second coming from the penalty spot. In the latter part of the first half Zulli also took centre stage, with two goals similar in terms of finish yet totally different in their build-up: a precise strike at the end of a slalom run for 3-0, while the fourth came after a mistake by Golinucci. In the second half, Cosmos brought on Prandelli, who grabbed his 21st league goal just minutes after coming on. The Serravalle club have scored the most and conceded the fewest goals, and have also lost the fewest matches in the competition, while being able to rely on the league’s top scorer. And yet, the title showdown remains entirely in Tre Penne’s hands. Nor can an eventual level finish be ruled out, which would require a one-off play-off between the two contenders, complete with extra time and penalties. It is a highly unlikely scenario, but one that mathematics does not exclude. All the more so because Faetano will have to fight for a play-off place until the final minute of the regular season, regardless of the outcome of tomorrow’s match against Domagnano. This is the picture of Matchday 29 of the Campionato Sammarinese BKN301 after the early fixtures, with all games live and on demand on Titani.tv:

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