Championship play-offs: Virtus close in on the final, Tre Penne hold on to regular-season advantage

The opening chapter in the run-up to the Championship play-off final leaves the balance of power between La Fiorita and Tre Penne unchanged. The draw at the “Ezio Conti” means Ceci’s side will now have to win – even by a single goal – to book their place in the play-off final. Virtus, despite being pushed hard by an excellent Domagnano, found Scappini’s goal that all but seals the tie late on: the Neroverdi would still go through even if they lose by a one-goal margin next Tuesday. That is a scenario the Wolves have already overturned in the previous round.

There are changes in goal for both Virtus and Domagnano: Bizzotto restores Passaniti, back from suspension, while Amati replaces the injured Papi with Alessandro Maggioli. The latter is immediately called into action by a back-pass from Mattia Amati and has to be sharp to beat Golinucci to the ball. At the other end, Santi slaloms past opponents and unleashes a right-footed effort from medium range that forces a save from Passaniti. Virtus’ best early chances fall to Zenoni, who miscues a header on 15 minutes. Bizzotto’s men are back knocking on the door on 18 minutes with a through ball from Buonocunto for Benincasa – good when he checks onto his left, less so when it comes to finding the corner. After the half-hour mark Domagnano begin to push again, but Santi misses the target from the edge of the area. Soon after, however, it is Virtus who break the deadlock: Benincasa picks the perfect through pass for the run of Zenoni, who rounds Mengucci and lashes the ball into the near top corner for 1-0. The Giallorossi hit back immediately: Santi whips in a perfect cross for Mattia Amati, but his finish is straight at the keeper. Right at the end of the half, Virtus have two more chances: Benincasa heads wide and Buonocunto fails to turn in Piscitella’s low cross. The second half is lively from the off. Zenoni rises to meet a corner but cannot capitalise on an indecision by Alessandro Maggioli, while Mengucci’s effort from the edge of the box lacks power. Domagnano accept the risks that come with a more attacking approach, but they are rewarded. Perazzini has a clear chance to make it 1-1 from yet another Santi move, but he fails to connect cleanly from a great position. Domagnano will not waste the next one: Contadini robs Buonocunto and releases Santi, who picks out Mattia Amati in the area. His left-footed strike under the bar gives Passaniti no chance and restores parity on 58 minutes. A flurry of substitutions follows around the hour mark, including the introduction of Scappini, whose effort midway through the half is blocked by Alessandro Maggioli. Just over five minutes from time, the same two players decide the scoreline: the Domagnano goalkeeper misjudges his timing coming off the line and Zenoni sneaks in behind him, controls and squares for Scappini to tap into an empty net for 2-1. Domagnano’s task becomes even harder on 89 minutes, when Guglielmi is sent off for overdoing his protests. There is nothing more of note in the five minutes of stoppage time: Virtus move closer to the play-off final, which they could still reach even if they lose by a single goal in the return leg on Tuesday night in Dogana.

In the 18:00 semi-final, La Fiorita and Tre Penne also go toe-to-toe – at least in the early stages. By the 4th minute the Biancazzurri have already tried their luck through Berardi and Pastorelli: from the latter’s scuffed effort, Vivan does well to recover and make the save. Just seconds later Brighi’s match is over, the defender forced to forfeit through injury. Mazzotti comes on and La Fiorita take the lead, though the defender has nothing to do with it: all the credit goes to Guidi. The forward hits a first-time volley from outside the box on a ball laid back by Semprini, catching Migani out and finding the top corner. The Gialloblù look to ride the momentum but squander a glorious chance to double their lead through Zaccaria on 11 minutes. The midfielder intercepts on the edge of the area but, one-on-one with the keeper, somehow side-foots wide. At the other end, Gasperoni produces a monumental block to deny Badalassi with the goal at his mercy. Just past the midway point of the half comes the incident that could shape the entire tie: Affonso commits a blatant foul on Mosquera, who reacts with a kick at the Brazilian. The winger is inevitably shown a straight red card, leaving Tre Penne down to ten men for over an hour. Little of note happens between then and the interval: an off-target header from Semprini and a Berardi foray are the last actions before half-time. The second half starts with a chance at either end: first for Tre Penne, who are denied by Vivan within a dozen seconds. A mistake by Gasperoni sets in motion the Badalassi-Berardi combination, with the latter thwarted by the La Fiorita keeper, quick off his line. The Gialloblù respond with Affonso, inches away from producing the second wonder goal of the evening – this time Migani flies to the top corner to turn it away. After tame efforts from Ferrani and Cicarelli, Guidi finds space on the edge of the area to curl a right-footer just past the post. La Fiorita are that close to doubling their lead when they are stunned by the equaliser: on 70 minutes Casadio releases Nigretti down the wing, who catches the opposing backline off guard and swings in a first-time cross. Bartoli, arriving through the middle, meets it with a magnificent volley that beats Vivan. Less than 200 seconds later, Casadio tries his luck from distance but fails to hit the target. With the draw secured, Tre Penne drop deeper to protect it – and they are barely troubled in the remaining twenty-three minutes, stoppage time included. On Tuesday things will resume from here, with the awareness that another draw would be enough to send the club from Città into the final.

Below is the schedule for the first legs of the Championship Sammarinese 2025-26 play-off semi-finals: