Championship: La Fiorita unbeaten and Fiorentino third at the halfway mark

New year, same results for La Fiorita and Fiorentino, who confirm themselves right in the thick of the title race, chasing Virtus, who tomorrow will have the chance to claim the symbolic crown of winter champions. The Gialloblù from Montegiardino run out 3-0 winners over a heavily revamped Murata, reshaped in the early hours of the January transfer window and – you can bet on it – destined for further changes to complete the squad that will finish the current season. In goal is Michele Magnani: the San Marino native, formerly of San Marino Academy, pulls off at least three major saves during the match. Unfortunately for him and for Michele Camillini, making his debut on the Murata bench, La Fiorita can rely on the Gasperoni-Ambrosini partnership. One goal per half comes down the right-hand side, with the winger rewarding the striker’s movement in the box, first with a headed finish on 37 minutes and then with a sliding effort to double the lead on 74 minutes. Deep into stoppage time, the 38-year-old forward showcases his agility and coordination to beat Magnani once more: his overhead kick, after the goalkeeper’s initial save, finally settles the contest and temporarily takes Ceci’s men level at the top. For Fiorentino, El Ardoudi’s moment of brilliance just before the hour mark is enough to consolidate third place in the table, with an average of more than two points per game. That makes it eight wins in ten matches for Paolo Tarini since taking over from Acori; in recent hours he has bid farewell to Salemme, who has joined Murata. While awaiting any possible reinforcements in attack, Fiorentino are enjoying the Abouzziane–El Ardoudi duo. The former finds his compatriot in the area, who soars above Renzi before opening up his body and side-footing the ball into the far corner. A wonderful goal, and El Ardoudi’s eighth in the league, which delivers Fiorentino’s tenth victory of the campaign. Behind Fiorentino sit Folgore, who pull away from Cosmos – in action tomorrow against San Marino Academy. At the "Federico Crescentini" in Fiorentino, a single goal again decides the outcome, to the delight of the Falciano club, who find the net on 21 minutes. The understanding between Raul Ura and Samuel Pancotti proves effective at the start of 2025 as well. The San Marino forward makes the most of an excellent individual move from his team-mate, who draws in a second marker before slicing through the opposing backline with a perfect through ball into the heart of the area, where it is relatively straightforward for Pancotti to beat Colonna. Cailungo savour derby victory, only to have to settle for a point. The Montecchio clash with Libertas highlights the qualities of Labas, who serves up a golden ball for Costa’s winning run on 40 minutes. After the break, Sarti’s Rossoverdi even find a second, once again relying on Labas’ qualities as a provider. First to pounce on a loose ball on the edge of the box, he nimbly evades Grieco before squaring for Bastianelli, who only has to tap into the net. It is a debut goal for the winger, signed in recent days from the other club based in Borgo Maggiore, San Giovanni. However, Cailungo’s flaw is to immediately offer their flank to the Granata reaction, which produces the 2-1 goal just two minutes later – in other words, on 69 minutes. Once again it is a debutant on the scoresheet: Michelotti, signed from Pennarossa, reopens the contest with a stunning right-footed strike that crashes against the underside of the crossbar and bounces over the goal line. The match officials correctly award the goal, which becomes the platform for Buda’s men to build their comeback plans on. These are completed by Osayande’s clinical strike, taking his tally to seven in the competition thanks to a perfect delivery from Fabio Ramòn Tomassini – who had previously also set up Michelotti’s right-footed effort. Rounding off the early fixtures is the Montecchio meeting between Juvenes-Dogana and Tre Penne. The club from Città, who recently said goodbye to Luca Righini following his retirement from playing, take the lead through Guidi’s thunderbolt, immaculately picked out by Dormi shortly before the quarter-hour mark. The former Rimini playmaker then takes matters into his own hands in the 23rd minute, cutting inside onto his favoured foot to find the far top corner and double Tre Penne’s advantage. Berardi’s team all but secure the points at the end of the first half, when another burst from Guidi – once more released by Dormi – forces a foul by Cevoli, deemed DOGSO (denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity) and therefore worthy of a straight red card. Even so, Fabbri’s side find a way back into the game on 75 minutes from a corner: Traglia looks for Valentini and the San Marino forward connects perfectly, punishing Tre Penne’s decision not to station players on the posts. However, there is no late sting in the tail for Berardi’s team, who claim a third consecutive victory. This is the partial picture of Matchday 15 in the 2024-25 Campionato Sammarinese, which will be completed by tomorrow’s remaining fixtures:

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