Conference League: Virtus ecstasy! They overturn Milsami and clinch a historic play-off

Virtus have pulled off something huge. And historic. They turned the frustration of that finale in Chisinau into a magnificent performance. The direct consequence? A commanding 3-0 win and a Conference League play-off spot that is unprecedented in San Marino football. Bizzotto’s men will now face Icelandic side Breiðablik over the next two Thursdays. The dream is a place in the group stage of UEFA’s third club competition. The way the first leg against Milsami ended demanded redemption, and Virtus set out with their intentions crystal clear. After 5 minutes Niang bursts away down the right flank, roared on by the black-and-green supporters, and whips in a low cross that Zenoni tries to steer goalwards, but the former Pennarossa man is blocked. Milsami realise there is nothing to sit on and quickly respond with a set piece from Iosipoi after a pass by Khali: Passaniti gets down and saves. Virtus are unfazed and push on, racking up corners. Just after the quarter-hour, however, a poor giveaway by Niang opens the door to a Moldovan counter-attack, with Iosipoi immediately sending Ndon through on goal: good for Passaniti that the number 15 opens his side-foot a little too much. Shortly after, Lupano tries his luck from distance with a full-blooded strike that whistles past the right-hand post of Passaniti. It’s a good spell for the visitors, who on 21 minutes switch play quickly from right to left and finish the move with a curling effort from Chele that ends up millimetres wide of the far top corner. After the half-hour Bizzotto loses Rinaldi, replaced by Ciacci. But the closing stages of the half belong to the black-and-greens. The best move stems from a robbery by Gori that sparks a counter-attack, finished by Niang with a left-foot strike that is too close to the keeper. It’s 0-0 at the break.

Scappini, who had been a little on the fringes until then, frightens Timbur with a shot over the bar after being set up by Niang. Two minutes later the roles are reversed: Scappini turns in midfield and plays Niang through on goal, the latter trying to guide the ball into the corner, only to be denied by a stunning reflex save from Timbur. The goalkeeper’s heroics do not spark any real reaction from the Moldovans, who instead begin to leave growing gaps between the lines. And Virtus pounce on their prey: Zenoni does brilliantly in midfield and sends Niang into space; in scrappy but effective fashion he gets the ball into the area for Scappini, lightning-quick to nip in ahead of Asmelash and Timbur and put his side in front. The centre-forward’s third goal in two games – and the prospect of extra time that comes with it – actually flatters Virtus less than they deserve. All the more so because Milsami are visibly deflating. So, on 65 minutes, Lombardi – on the pitch for only a few seconds in place of the loudly applauded Scappini – delivers from the right for Buonocunto’s flying finish, which sends the decibel level inside the Stadium through the roof. Milsami would now be out, so pride demands some kind of reaction. What they manage to produce is a curling shot from Iosipoi that doesn’t dip and a header from Ndon that meets the same fate. Barely worth a mention, then, is the attempt by Olatunde-Matthew, which merely tickles Passaniti’s gloves. At this point Virtus no longer need to force the issue and can afford to wait. All the pressure is on the Moldovans who, in fact, show it fully on 78 minutes with a dreadful error in the build-up by Timbur: Zenoni goes for the first-time shot and is denied by the keeper, but on Lombardi’s follow-up attempt Nwaeze handles the ball, plunging Milsami into even deeper trouble. A stonewall penalty, entrusted to Buonocunto. The number 10 is ruthless: 3-0, his brace complete and a deserved ovation from the crowd as he is substituted. That is virtually the last flash of a night that has already written itself into the history books of our football.

UEFA Europa Conference League 2025-26, Third Qualifying Round | Virtus – Milsami 3-0

VIRTUS (4-4-2)

Passaniti; Battistini, Giacomoni, Rinaldi (32’ Ciacci), Gori; Niang, Golinucci, Amati, Zenoni (84’ Capicchioni); Scappini (65’ Lombardi), Buonocunto (84’ Montanari)

Substitutes: Guddo, Muggeo, Benincasa, De Lucia

Coach: Luigi Bizzotto

MILSAMI (4-1-4-1)

Timbur; Asmelash; Lupano, Nwaeze, Jardan (69’ Luchita); Yoda; Khali, Lisu (46’ Ghimp), Iosipoi (69’ Keita), Chele (61’ Olatunde-Matthew); Ndon (86’ Arhirii)

Substitutes: Dujmović, Vornic

Coach: Igor Picusciac

Referee: Damian Kos (POL)

Assistant referees: Bartosz Heinig and Marek Arys (POL)

Fourth official: Lukasz Kuzma (POL)

VAR: Pawel Malec (POL)

AVAR: Lukasz Szczech (POL)

Booked: Yoda, Passaniti

Scorers: 58’ Scappini, 65’ and 79’ (p) Buonocunto