Championship: Tre Fiori launch into the final triple-header, Virtus and Tre Penne chase and hope

With three matchdays left in the regular season, the situation at the top is this: one team has to manage its lead and two have to go all in, hoping the one in control doesn’t prove flawless in doing so. It’s a blunt summary, but it captures the current state of play. That’s because, in midweek, Tre Fiori took a major step towards the Scudetto, comfortably dealing with Murata and, above all, benefitting from the best possible outcome – a draw – in the head‑to‑head between their closest and fiercest rivals: Virtus and Tre Penne. With a three‑point cushion to protect and nine still on offer, nothing is settled. But the fixture list is clearly smiling on Girolomoni’s side, who from now until the finish line will only face teams sitting ninth or lower. Next up are Libertas who, in a curious twist, will then go on to face the other two title contenders: Tre Penne and Virtus – in that order. The clash between the leaders and the maroon‑clad side – themselves in excellent form with three wins and a draw from their last four – is part of Sunday’s late kick-offs and will be played in Montecchio. Tre Penne are not involved in those, and will therefore try to put pressure on Tre Fiori in the early kick-off against Cailungo, second from bottom and with nothing left to play for in the league, other than – for themselves – a burst of pride to halt a long losing streak. This match will be played in Domagnano, the same ground that on Sunday – at the same time as Tre Fiori-Libertas – will host Virtus, the first of the chasers. The Neroverdi at least limited the damage after Montanari’s sending-off, but the draw with Tre Penne was still a setback for a side aiming to retain the title of champions of the Titano. Bizzotto’s men now go into action hoping for slip‑ups elsewhere too, given the little time left to make up ground. But first and foremost, they are focused on stringing wins together, starting with a contest whose odds are heavily tilted in their favour, as rock‑bottom Murata await them in Acquaviva, still below zero points and coming off three straight matches without scoring.

Staying with Sunday’s programme, Folgore – in Acquaviva – will play their second consecutive derby after the one with Cosmos. Oscar Lasagni will be hoping this is the right moment for his players to shake off the “draw syndrome” that has affected them for the last four games and which has allowed La Fiorita to catch them. On the other side, there is a Juvenes Dogana side beaten after two positive results in a row and needing at least to stay hooked onto the Libertas “train”, the team that most recently defeated and pulled three points clear of them. In Fiorentino, Pennarossa will continue their long-distance duel with San Giovanni for the last place giving access to the post season. The Borgo Maggiore side still hold the edge for now, but Pennarossa can ride the wave of two consecutive wins to try and claim a big result against a Cosmos side who are themselves on a two‑game unbeaten run, with a win and a draw in that spell.

On Saturday in Montecchio, an in‑form Fiorentino will look to extend their positive run (three wins and a draw) against a Faetano side out of the running and coming off seven defeats on the bounce. The red‑and‑blues still hope to pip Domagnano – sixth on +2 – on one of the final bends of the campaign. Perhaps even on this one, given that on Saturday the Wolves will be sitting a tough La Fiorita exam, with the Gialloblù five points ahead and fresh from getting back to winning ways at the expense of San Giovanni. That game will be played in Acquaviva, while in Fiorentino the same San Giovanni will face San Marino Academy aiming to immediately return to winning ways and thus keep Pennarossa at bay, or even extend the gap if Cosmos, the following day, were to prove a valuable ally. As for San Marino Academy, their sights remain firmly set on Faetano, four points ahead. Di Maio’s youngsters need a win – something they have been missing for three matchdays – to close the gap.

A reminder that all weekend matches will be available live via free streaming on Titani.tv – and Virtus-Murata also on FIFA+ – here is the schedule for Matchday 28 of the championship:

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