Championship: Fabbri fires San Giovanni, Fiorentino saved at the death by Benedettini

In the early kick-offs of the 26th matchday of the Campionato Sammarinese, Cosmos and San Giovanni claim another three points to further consolidate their playoff positions, while it ends with a point apiece between Fiorentino and Libertas. The Rossoblù have Benedettini to thank – decisive deep into added time as he saved a Tomassini penalty. It was a lively encounter from the off between Fiorentino and Libertas, with the Granata taking the lead on 14 minutes: Quarta’s free-kick into the box finds the head of Michelotti and it’s 1-0. Fiorentino’s response is almost immediate as they restore parity in the 14th minute: Marco Evaristi delivers an elegant ball into the box for Abouzziane, who controls and unleashes a powerful effort; Cappello blocks with his body, but on the rebound Gjonaj pounces to make it 1-1. Two minutes later another chance for the Rossoblù as Mariano rounds Manzaroli as well but drifts too wide and fails to hit the target. On the counter, there’s an opportunity for Tomassini, but Benedettini does well to narrow the angle and force the striker into error. The second half is played at a much lower tempo, but in the closing stages comes the incident that could change the game. Baiardi’s free-kick from the edge of the box crashes off the top corner; on the rebound Michelotti scores. However, the referee halts play for a handball on the initial free-kick and points to the penalty spot. Tomassini steps up, but Benedettini guesses right and saves his side at the last second. It finishes 1-1 in Domagnano, with both teams remaining comfortably lodged in mid-table.

Everything happens after the break between San Giovanni and Faetano. At Montecchio, the first threat comes early (12’) with a powerful effort from Elia on the edge of the area, where Casadei has to be alert straight away to avert the danger. That is effectively the only real chance of the opening 45 minutes. After the restart, San Giovanni change attitude and the game takes off. The Rossoneri break the deadlock on 51 minutes: short corner between Tumidei and Zanni, the latter swings in a cross and Fabbri rises in the middle to head home decisively. The goal galvanises Tognacci’s side, who dominate the entire second half. On 70 minutes Venturini is crucial in keeping his team in it, palming away another attempt by Fabbri. But two minutes later the Rossoneri wrap it up. Once again it’s Fabbri – the undisputed MVP of the match – who strikes on the volley from long range, scoring a stunning goal. It’s a brace for the San Giovanni defender, who had yet to find the net in the league this season. The Rossoneri could have added gloss to the scoreline were it not for another big stop from Venturini on D’Angeli and the post denying Calp from a corner. At Montecchio it ends 2-0 to San Giovanni – now unbeaten in six straight games – as they collect three more precious points to strengthen their 11th place. With this defeat, Faetano are now mathematically out of the playoff race.

Another win for Cosmos against Cailungo, who themselves return to victory after two losses. Selva’s side start strongly and almost go ahead as early as the 4th minute with Ambrosini, who hits a first-time volley from distance, only for the crossbar to deny the Gialloverdi striker – just centimetres away from a wonder goal. The breakthrough for the Serravalle side is not long in coming as they score on 12 minutes: Hamati picks up the ball in the final third and, once inside the area, slaloms past three opponents before guiding a left-footed effort into the far corner for a fine goal – his second of the campaign. Cosmos are in control, but right at the end of the half comes a costly error from Andreatta in the area, as he is dispossessed by Colagiovanni. The Gialloverdi player then brings him down and it’s a penalty. Bua steps up and goes down the middle, but Semprini reads it and keeps it out. After the break, just before the hour mark, Cosmos double their lead: Mularoni plays a vertical pass for Gjoni, who, from the edge of the box, produces a delightful back-heel flick that turns into an assist for Bufi. It’s an uphill battle for Cailungo, which becomes even steeper on 66 minutes when Iuzzolino clashes with Hamati in the box: yellow card for both, but for the Rossoverdi captain it’s his second of the game. Despite being down to ten men, Cailungo pull one back with a fine free-kick from Lisi, who beats a rooted Semprini from the edge of the area. The goal, however, does not change the course of the match, and Cosmos can celebrate as they close the gap on seventh-placed Fiorentino to just two points.

Pennarossa also pick up a win, beating Murata with a goal in each half in the 18:15 kick-off. For the Bianconeri, a superb display from Sias between the posts, including two penalty saves, is not enough. The Biancorossi’s opener comes after just four minutes: Bezzini’s cross from the right into the box, a dummy from Varrella and Tolomeo applies the finish. Two minutes later Macerata’s side have the chance to double their lead from the spot, but Sias denies Pintore. The goalkeeper is decisive again on 63 minutes when he saves his second penalty of the evening, this time from Gregori. Five minutes later and there’s yet another spot-kick for Pennarossa: De Paoli (the third different taker) steps up, and Sias guesses correctly but is inches away from keeping it out. Pennarossa keep pushing to kill the game off, as Domini’s free-kick heads for the top corner, but Sias – the standout performer on the pitch – produces another outstanding save. Shortly afterwards Murata are reduced to ten men following the sending-off of Gjyla, punished for excessive protests towards the referee after a coming-together with Santi. Pennarossa create further chances late on, but the scoreline (2-0) remains unchanged until the final whistle.

While we wait for tomorrow’s fixtures, here is the partial picture of the 26th matchday of the 2025-26 Campionato Sammarinese: