League: the race for the Scudetto and the play-offs resumes

After last weekend’s counter-overtake, Virtus are determined to stay top of the BKN301 Championship. On Matchday 19, which kicks off tomorrow, the Neroverdi will feature in the only evening fixture at 18:15. In Acquaviva they will face a Libertas side in crisis and coming off three consecutive defeats. The Granata, however, are chasing precious points in the play-off scrap, as they are currently outside the post-season spots. Before Virtus-Libertas there is a packed schedule of 15:00 fixtures on Saturday. Still “hurting” from the last-gasp defeat to rivals Fiorentino, Tre Fiori are out for redemption and will try to get it in Acquaviva against Pennarossa. De Falco’s Gialloblu sit fifth and are virtually assured of a play-off berth; it is a different story for Dolci’s Biancorossi, who remain bottom of the group and are still chasing their first win of the season. Just one point behind Tre Fiori in the table are Angelini’s Murata, who travel to Montecchio to face San Giovanni. The Bianconeri are unbeaten in three (two wins and a draw) and boast excellent defensive numbers, with three consecutive clean sheets. It is a difficult spell instead for the Rossoneri, with just one win in their last five: at present Tognacci’s team would be in the play-offs – albeit entering in the first round – but they have to watch their backs from the close pursuers. One of the form sides, by contrast, is Oscar Lasagni’s Folgore. In the last round the Falciano club did Virtus a big favour by beating La Fiorita and handing the Neroverdi top spot. Driven on by an in-form Samuel Pancotti (7 goals in the last 6), Folgore have won 5 of their last 6 matches, losing only to Cosmos. The situation is very different for their opponents Domagnano. Paolo Rossi’s team (who will not be on the bench due to suspension) are still searching for their first win of the new year and have not taken three points since 16 December (a 3-1 comeback victory over San Marino Academy). A win would provide a major boost for the Wolves and vital points to move back towards the hot zone. Kick-off in Domagnano is at 15:00. The same can be said for San Marino Academy Under 22, whose victory last time out against Pennarossa has reignited Cecchetti’s youngsters. The Titani play at 15:00 in Fiorentino against a Cailungo side struggling badly for results and goals. The Rossoverdi have gone seven games without scoring and have not won since way back on 29 October. Three matches are scheduled for Sunday, with La Fiorita taking the field already knowing the Virtus result. It is nevertheless a delicate test for Thomas Manfredini’s team, who kick off at 15:00 in Fiorentino against Juvenes-Dogana. Amati’s men made Virtus sweat – and a lot – for their win last weekend and will again try on Sunday to cause problems for their highly rated opponents. The Serravalle club are in good shape, as shown by five straight wins before falling, in the last round, to the aforementioned Virtus. La Fiorita will have to do without Nicola Greco and Armando Amati, both suspended for this match. Cosmos are also in action, by some distance the league’s form side thanks to their run of 10 consecutive victories. The Gialloverdi – now third, seven points off the summit – are flying and have no intention of slowing down. However, standing in Berardi’s way is a Fiorentino side not to be underestimated. Fresh from their dramatic late win over Tre Fiori, Camillini’s men have put together five victories on the spin, lifting them up to eighth place. Fiorentino will, however, be without Salemme – the match winner in the derby – and Gimenez, both suspended by the sporting judge. Kick-off is at 15:00 in Montecchio. At the same time, but on the artificial pitch in Acquaviva, it’s Faetano v Tre Penne. The fixture brings back sweet memories for Ceci’s side, who last year lifted on that very pitch – and against the same Gialloblù – the San Marino league title after a thrilling title race with Cosmos. Today the Città club are further back in the standings (currently fourth, nine points adrift of Virtus) and repeating that triumph looks an extremely tough task. Ceci, however, has got his team winning again – three victories in their last five – and has rediscovered the goals of leading scorer Imre Badalassi (now on 17). Faetano come into the game off a good victory over Libertas and want more points to stay in the play-off spots. A reminder that all matches will be broadcast live with full commentary on Titani.tv. Here is the schedule for Matchday 19 of the Campionato Sammarinese BKN301:

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