Championship: the summit is contested in advance

League leaders Virtus and Tre Fiori will take to the field on Saturday afternoon at 15:00, at Domagnano and Acquaviva respectively. At the same time there will also be key clashes in the race for the play-off spots at the “Federico Crescentini” in Fiorentino and at the Montecchio Stadium.

On paper at least, the trickiest assignment falls to the reigning champions. Bizzotto’s Virtus will have to deal with Juvenes-Dogana, a solid and talented side that has already shown against Tre Penne and La Fiorita that it is not afraid to face more decorated opposition. Boldrini will have to cope with the absence of Giacomo Boldrini (accumulation of yellow cards) in the clash with the number one title contender. The main challenger – at least based on what we have seen so far – will face a Cailungo side that has suffered five defeats on the spin since their league derby win over Libertas. That same fixture, but in the Coppa Titano, cost Roberto Sarti his job; the team is now in the hands of Bartoletti. Tre Fiori, by contrast, come into the game flying high and as favourites. It is a match they cannot afford to slip up in, especially given that after the international break it will be time for the top-of-the-table showdown with Virtus (22 November, Acquaviva – 15:00). With that in mind, Simone Rea, who is one booking away from suspension, could be rested against the Rossoverdi.

Saturday’s early afternoon programme also features Libertas v Pennarossa. With just one win from eight games, the Granata cannot afford to drop more points, and their desire to bounce back – after the heavy 6-1 defeat to Folgore – is bound to fire up Buda’s men. Maciel and Manuel Nigro are definite absentees after being sent off in the last round. Ricchiuti’s Biancorossi, on the other hand, have won three of their last five, losing only to sides built to be at the top end of the table. It is a run of form the Chiesanuova club will be keen to extend in just over forty-eight hours’ time. That is when Fiorentino v Cosmos will also be played. Costantini’s team are still struggling to get into gear, stuck on their only win, which dates back to 14 September. It should also be pointed out, however, that the Rossoblù have so far faced six of the current top eight, and the seventh is just around the corner. Andy Selva’s men are searching for a clear identity: the up-and-down nature of this opening stretch of the season has already allowed the frontrunners to pull well clear of the Serravalle club, who will need something special if they are to climb back up the table.

Saturday’s fifth fixture will be the third meeting this season between Tre Penne and Domagnano. The Giallorossi will be hoping it brings the only outcome not yet seen, after a defeat and a draw in the two Coppa Titano encounters. The trends are certainly polar opposites and it is no coincidence that Amati’s side have recently climbed to fourth place – moving ahead of their next opponents. The Tarini era has begun at Tre Penne, following Nicola Berardi’s resignation. It is far from the easiest of debuts, given that Domagnano arrive on the back of three straight wins in which they have scored 12 goals and conceded just 1. Moreover, Amati can again call on the quality of Simone Santi, who returns from suspension. The match, which will also be broadcast live on FIFA+, is scheduled at the Acquaviva Stadium with kick-off at 18:15.

The remaining three matches are scheduled for early Sunday afternoon. Among them is the big match between La Fiorita and Folgore. Without the five-point deduction (-5) imposed on the Montegiardino club, both sides would currently be level in third place. As it stands, however, only Folgore can truly claim to be the leading chasers of the top two. The team currently with their backs to the wall is La Fiorita: nine points adrift of the summit, even a draw could undermine Ceci’s side’s hopes of a comeback – and the coach will be suspended for Sunday’s game, as will Barretta.

The clash in Domagnano between Murata and San Giovanni promises to be a close affair. The Bianconeri are dreaming of wiping out their early-season nine-point deduction (-9), and a victory would take them back to 0. Their overall record is only slightly better than San Giovanni’s, whose sole win in eight league outings came two weeks ago against Cailungo. Finally, there is also room for San Marino Academy and Faetano, who will meet on the artificial pitch at Fiorentino’s “Federico Crescentini”. Still searching for their first win of the season and determined to put an end to a run of seven straight defeats, Roberto Di Maio’s Biancazzurrini will need to produce a disciplined performance if they are to get the better of a team in good shape, who have only lost narrowly to Virtus and La Fiorita in their last 180 minutes of football.

Below is the schedule for Matchday 9 of the 2025-26 Campionato Sammarinese, with every game broadcast live and free via streaming on Titani.tv: