League: second half of the season kicks off, Cosmos out early to seize top spot

The second half of the Campionato Sammarinese BKN301 season kicks off tomorrow evening with the early fixture at the Ezio Conti in Dogana – arguably the most thrilling title race in recent memory, and certainly the most finely balanced – at least halfway through the regular season, at the end of which the Scudetto will be awarded. Opening Matchday 16 will be Murata v Cosmos, which, as mentioned, will already be played tomorrow evening at the Ezio Conti in Dogana (kick-off at 21:15). It is the classic top-versus-bottom clash, pitting the side with the fewest defeats (Cosmos, 1) against the one that has tasted the bitterness of defeat more than any other (Murata, 11). Their objectives are opposite, but equally important: the Gialloverdi are chasing top spot, at least temporarily, while Angelini’s men are looking to close in on thirteenth place – the last position that grants access to the play-off round for UEFA Europa Conference League qualification – currently five points away. Cosmos have two players suspended: Errico is back, but Di Maio and Loiodice are out. On the Murata side, captain Valentini has served his ban. There are four matches scheduled for early Saturday afternoon, starting with Folgore v Libertas. The meeting between two of the big underachievers, currently behind the five-team Scudetto-chasing pack and appearing cut adrift from it, will be played in Montecchio (15:00). Omar Lepri will have to do without Ahmetovic, whose booking on his debut for Falciano was added to those previously collected with Pennarossa. Sottile is back available, while on the Granata side Sperindio – coming off three wins and two draws in the last five outings – can again call on Alex Gasperoni. Virtus are looking to bounce back after their defeat to Pennarossa in the final round of the first half of the season. Bizzotto’s Neroverdi are four points off the top, but there are three other sides between them and La Fiorita. Of those, Tre Penne will be an interested observer this weekend. Sabato is suspended after coming off injured a week ago. Domagnano – Virtus’ opponents in tomorrow’s match (Domagnano, 15:00) – are fresh from a stirring comeback against Murata, inspired by Fedeli and Cangini. Beyond the quality of his Wolves’ reaction, Amadori will also have to consider the lack of concentration either side of half-time which cost them a two-goal deficit in Fiorentino last Sunday. All this with an eye on the imminent showdown with a very hard side to break down, a team that, once in front, has only been beaten on one occasion so far. The team that managed that was Tre Fiori, who on Saturday afternoon in Acquaviva will take on Faetano (15:00) without Goh. Sent off on his debut in the Sammarinese league during the frantic finale to the blockbuster clash with Cosmos, the 24-year-old forward will return in time to face Virtus. Andy Selva could therefore hand minutes and a debut to Tall: a Senegalese striker with a past in Roma’s youth ranks and recently released by NK Olimpija Ljubljana, with whom he played in the Conference League, he has signed for the Fiorentino club in the last few hours. One more headache for Girolomoni, who will in any case have to watch the match from the stands while he serves a touchline ban imposed for his protests in last week’s defeat to Tre Penne. The good news for the Faetano coach is that Soumah is free to play again. Saturday afternoon’s programme concludes with Cailungo v La Fiorita (Fiorentino, 15:00). Far from being sacrificial lambs, Protti’s side will meet the league leaders on the back of two wins, two draws and just one defeat in their last five outings. Lusini, Iuzzolino and Manuel Muccioli all return for the Rossoverdi – while Biordi will need another week before he can be involved again. Manfredini also welcomes back two players, with Lunadei and Pancotti at his disposal as he chases his first victory of 2023 – and potentially the first of his managerial career, which began only a few weeks ago in Montegiardino. Scheduled for Sunday is the head-to-head between Fiorentino and Juvenes-Dogana (Fiorentino, 15:00). Amati’s men, with their coach banned for three matches following the defeat to Cailungo, are going through a poor run of results. If the defeats to Libertas and Tre Fiori can be digested, last week’s loss to Cailungo has plunged the Serravalle club into trouble – they now hold just a one-point cushion over second-bottom, a position which would mean exclusion from the post-season. That spot is currently occupied by Fiorentino’s upcoming opponents, who will have Colagiovanni and Sottile back. Unbeaten in four, during which they have collected six points, Malandri’s side know they cannot afford to slip up in a clash that could prove decisive in the race for the play-offs. The round concludes with San Giovanni v Pennarossa. One player missing and one returning for each side: for Pennarossa, Tomassini is out along with coach Gori (banned for two matches for his protests towards the referee), while Isaraj is available again. For San Giovanni, Montebelli’s height and presence will be missing, but Stefano Sartini is fit. Tognacci’s men want to get back to picking up points after their defeats to Libertas and Virtus. Pennarossa, coming off a win that had been a long time coming, intend to put together another run of victories like the one at the start of the season, when the Biancorossi seemed destined for a very different trajectory in the table. The match will be played in Montecchio at 15:00. Here is the schedule for Matchday 16 of the Campionato Sammarinese BKN301, which will be available free of charge on TITANI.TV – live streamed from every ground, with Italian commentary:

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