Championship: crucial days in the title race

The Campionato Sammarinese BKN301 is about to enter a spell of decisive, crucial days in the title race. Between tomorrow and Wednesday, two matchdays will be played – the 21st and 22nd – which could offer several indications as to who will win the title. Tomorrow, in fact, it all begins with an unmissable La Fiorita v Cosmos, with kick-off at 18:15 in Acquaviva. There are plenty of talking points around this top clash, starting with the question: can Berardi’s side – with their coach a major former figure at La Fiorita – firmly insert themselves into the title fight? Judging by results and the fixture list, the answer is very much yes. The Gialloverdi are undoubtedly the form side of the moment with 12 consecutive victories, and another win would see them close further in on the current league leaders in yellow and blue. The table currently has the Montegiardino club in first place on 52 points, followed by Virtus (51) and Cosmos (47). What’s more, after this head‑to‑head, next Tuesday will see another big match: Virtus against La Fiorita. So, while Manfredini’s Gialloblu have their destiny in their own hands, Bizzotto’s team must bounce back from the shock defeat in the last round against Fiorentino, which cost them top spot. Virtus will kick off early tomorrow at 15:00 against an in‑form San Marino Academy, who are chasing precious points in the race for the play‑off zone. The Titani are unbeaten in three (one draw and two wins) but remain five points adrift of that 11th place which gives access to the preliminary play-off round. Cecchetti’s men will be without the suspended D’Addario and Mattia Sancisi, while for Virtus the booked players Buonocunto, Tortori and Alessandro Golinucci will need to be careful with Tuesday’s clash with La Fiorita in mind. Also tomorrow afternoon Tre Penne and Tre Fiori will be in action. The reigning champions – on a run of four straight wins – take on Pennarossa, still bottom of the table. The side from Città are favourites and a win – combined with dropped points from those above them – would give them the chance to close the gap at the top (currently seven points). Kick‑off is at 15:00 in Acquaviva. A similar scenario applies to Tre Fiori, who trail Tre Penne by two points. De Falco and his men will also kick off at 15:00, but on the artificial pitch in Montecchio against Faetano. Girolomoni’s team have gone two games without a win and want to react after last weekend’s defeat to Domagnano, which pushed the Gialloblu further away from the post‑season places. Staying with the play‑off race, another intriguing clash sees Domagnano face Libertas. The Giallorossi are in good form with two wins on the bounce and want to hold on to that pivotal 11th place; it is a difficult period for Libertas, who have not won for over a month (their last success a victory over Pennarossa on 13 January), yet they are still only four points behind Paolo Rossi’s side. Domagnano will be without the suspended Baffoni, Ferraro and Perazzini, while Ottaviani is missing for the Granata. In addition to the aforementioned meeting between La Fiorita and Cosmos, San Giovanni and Folgore will also kick off at 18:15 in Montecchio. Both come into the game on the back of a defeat (two in a row for Lasagni’s side) and both are targeting – just a few points away – that seventh place (currently held by Juvenes‑Dogana on 29 points) which guarantees direct access to the play‑offs. There will be just two games on Sunday afternoon. An intriguing contest is expected in Montecchio between Fiorentino and Juvenes‑Dogana. Victory over Virtus has boosted the Rossoblu, who are now firmly targeting seventh place. Although the two sides are level on 29 points, Amati’s team are ahead thanks to their win in the reverse fixture (1-0, goal by Gianluca Benedetti). Fiorentino will have to do without the suspended Davide Simoncini for this match. Meanwhile, Murata and Cailungo will face off at 15:00 at the “Federico Crescentini” in Fiorentino. The Bianconeri are going through a flat spell – following two consecutive defeats – but remain comfortably placed in terms of play‑off qualification (fifth, six points clear of the chasing pack). It is crisis time for Cailungo, however: coming off a heavy 9-0 defeat to Cosmos, Bobo Sarti’s Rossoverdi have not picked up a point since 26 November and are still second from bottom. Below is the schedule for Matchday 21 of the Campionato Sammarinese BKN301, with all fixtures being streamed live with full commentary on Titani.tv:

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