Championship: Virtus take risks but do not slip up, Domagnano make it three in a row

Virtus had to win to put pressure on La Fiorita and Cosmos, and Bizzotto’s side did exactly that. This despite having to come through a decidedly tricky test against San Marino Academy, who were able to match the Neroverdi blow for blow – with Virtus in the meantime moving top of the table. Benincasa put them in front immediately, released by a coast-to-coast run from Rinaldi, but Giambalvo drew the Academy level on the half-hour, finding himself high up the pitch after a set play and making the most of a clever knockdown from Casadei. For the San Marino wide man it would be two assists on the day: the second came on 36 minutes, when Giacopetti lifted a delicate left-footed outside-of-the-boot finish over Lasagni for his second goal in as many games. In the meantime, however, Virtus had got their noses back in front through Pecci. It was again Benincasa who turned the game Virtus’ way for good, making it 3-2 on 53 minutes by finishing off a solo run from Buonocunto. It was a bitter outcome for the Academy, who then saw Valli Casadei’s goal for what would have been a third equaliser ruled out. The midfielder was in an offside position on Giacopetti’s attempt in the middle of the area, with only one opponent between him and the goal line. It was all straightforward for Tre Penne, who were rarely troubled by Pennarossa and kept the gap to Virtus unchanged. Star of the show was Imre Badalassi, who hit a hat-trick to move on to 23 goals in 21 games. The Biancazzurri striker scores once every 63 minutes in the league and opened the scoring on 4 minutes with a header from a Poggi cross. Despite some good chances at both ends, the score would not change before the break. On 50 minutes, though, Badalassi again beat Barbieri with a diagonal effort from the edge of the area, before Nigretti added a third with a looping cross-shot from Righini’s delivery. Shortly afterwards came the 4-0 goal, with Badalassi again the protagonist: Battistini won the ball and sent him through, and the forward inflicted a fourth disappointment on the Pennarossa defence. Before the end, there was also room for a goal from former Pennarossa man Cecchetti – who only had to nod home the precise cross from the relentless Badalassi. The Montecchio clash between Faetano and Tre Fiori was nothing short of entertaining, and the deadlock was broken as early as the 3rd minute through the Cirrottola–Fedeli combination. De Falco’s men struck twice more around the half-hour mark: first with a powerful header from Bernardi, then with a splendid move that sent Cirrottola through on goal. The latter was the undisputed man of the match, serving up no fewer than three decisive assists: the last of them on 47 minutes, for Bernardi’s goal that made it four. A minute later came a pride-fuelled response from Faetano, who scored through their best player, Brisigotti. His powerful and precise left-footed strike kissed the top corner with Nardi blameless, and the Tre Fiori keeper was also beaten on 85 minutes by Bouguila’s clinical right-footed finish at the end of a prolonged attacking move. After a lengthy period of stoppage time added by the referee, Tre Fiori were finally able to celebrate a win that moves the Fiorentino club to within nine points of Virtus – who had been leading the table earlier in the afternoon. Domagnano, meanwhile, strung together their third consecutive victory. They pull away from Faetano, extending their cushion over 12th place – the last spot that grants access to the play-offs – to six points. The Wolves held their nerve in the head-to-head with Libertas, which could have allowed the Granata to overtake Faetano. At the end of a match controlled with authority from start to finish, Domagnano claimed a deserved win that took shape after the interval. Following a goalless first half, including some gilt-edged chances squandered by Nicola Zafferani, the Giallorossi went ahead through Angelini, perfectly picked out by Gregori. The goal that sealed it arrived deep into added time, when Giovanardi unleashed a thunderbolt that arrowed into the top corner, giving Del Prete no chance. The most eagerly anticipated match, however, was scheduled in Acquaviva, where Cosmos – chasing a thirteenth straight win – were looking to reopen the title race against La Fiorita. It was the Gialloblù who started better and broke the deadlock on 28 minutes. There was a fine exchange between Gasperoni and Guidi, with the captain picking up the back-heel assist from one of the many former players on show and beating Simoncini. Earlier on, injuries had already forced Brighi and D’Addario off. Cosmos reacted with a right-footed effort from the edge of the box by Zulli, but Zavoli saved. The Gialloverdi protested on 41 minutes over a late challenge by Grassi – already booked – on Sapori. In the lengthy stoppage time before the break, Prandelli had two attempts that failed to hit the target. In between those, Zampano was denied by Simoncini, who prevented La Fiorita from doubling their lead. The second half was lively too and began with fresh protests from Cosmos over an aerial collision between Zavoli and Prandelli. La Fiorita replied through a strike from Gasperoni, which Simoncini and his team-mates managed to deal with. At the other end, Zavoli produced a monumental reflex save to deny a certain goal from Prandelli. Montegiardino’s Gialloblù focused on managing their advantage, defending compactly and deep. Cosmos were able to keep believing until the end also thanks to Simoncini, who made a decisive stop to keep out Niang’s header on 84 minutes. Despite Cosmos’ desperate late efforts, the scoreline remained unchanged at the final whistle. La Fiorita return to the top of the table and will go into next week’s midweek showdown with Virtus as league leaders. Cosmos see their long winning streak come to an end, slipping eight points off the summit and down to fourth place. There was no shortage of drama either in Montecchio between San Giovanni and Folgore. Folgore took the lead after exactly ten minutes thanks to Pica’s header from a Sartori corner. Tognacci’s men, however, were very much in the game and only a superb reflex save from Venturini denied D’Angeli an equaliser on 19 minutes. That was the prelude to Bruma’s tap-in shortly after the half-hour mark: the forward, signed in January, only had to push the ball into the net after Venturini had parried his first effort, having done brilliantly to stop Aprea’s solo run but unable to make a second save. The spacing in San Giovanni’s back line will need reviewing, as they struggled there again after the restart. Following a left-footed effort over the bar from Bruma, it was once more D’Angeli who showed his trademark pace – only to run into his recurring issues with composure in front of goal. A quality that Aprea does not lack: sent clear in behind by Augusto Garcia, he went round Venturini before notching his fourth goal of the season, the one that completed the comeback. Not bad for a midfielder who has already supplied just as many assists. San Giovanni thus earned a precious win, though they had a real scare when Tsafack headed wide from point-blank range in the 88th minute, miscuing from the edge of the six-yard box. Below is the schedule for Matchday 21 of the Campionato Sammarinese BKN301, with all fixtures broadcast live with full commentary on Titani.tv:

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