Coppa Titano, final tomorrow: Virtus chase the ‘poker’, La Fiorita target Europe

It will be the final match of the 2023-24 San Marino football season. The Coppa Titano BKN301 final between Virtus and La Fiorita, scheduled for tomorrow evening at the San Marino Stadium at 20:45, will also be a showdown between this year’s leading sides in pursuit of yet another trophy. Luigi Bizzotto’s team, the holders of the cup, are aiming for the “Grand Slam”: after lifting the Super Cup in September and the league title last April, the Neroverdi now want to retain the cup they won last year and complete a four-trophy haul in the space of just one season. Incidentally, the last club to achieve a back-to-back triumph – winning the trophy in two consecutive years – was La Fiorita, who prevailed in the 2012 and 2013 editions. There is no shortage of motivation either for Thomas Manfredini’s side, who will bid farewell to the Montegiardino club after this match. Having been pipped to the league title by Virtus and then seeing their play-off final hopes end in the semi-finals against Murata, Europe for La Fiorita now depends solely on winning the cup. Should they succeed, the Gialloblu would book their place in the UEFA Europa Conference League as cup winners – Virtus are already assured of a Champions League berth – whereas if the team from Acquaviva were to lift the trophy, it would be Murata who qualify for Europe alongside Tre Penne, with the club from Città already certain of participation thanks to their victory in last weekend’s second-place play-off final. La Fiorita, for their part, have qualified for European competition every year since 2012, appearing in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League. “It’s normal that there’s a bit of pressure,” said Gialloblu coach Thomas Manfredini at today’s press conference at the Stadium, “but we want to finish the season with at least one trophy. My last game? I’m calm, I’ve always believed in these lads and in this project. There have been differences of opinion within the club, but I decided to stay until the end and try to bring this cup home.” There have been two meetings between Virtus and La Fiorita this season, both won by the Neroverdi in the regular league campaign. For this reason too, Armando Amati is eager for revenge: “Both games were very evenly balanced. They beat us, so we want to make amends. Playing at the Stadium won’t be a decisive factor; both we and they have experience and play very good football.” While La Fiorita have been in action every week since the end of the regular season, Virtus have not played an official match since 21 April, the day of the club from Acquaviva’s historic first Scudetto. A year ago, Tre Penne – then league champions – were in fact “victims” of Virtus in the Coppa Titano final played in Montecchio, which the Neroverdi won 3-1. “We’re aware that being inactive for a month,” said Luigi Bizzotto, the Virtus coach, “can cause problems. We noticed it last year with Tre Penne, who struggled at the start of the game against us. I hope the same thing doesn’t happen now. It’s an important match against a strong opponent who, like us, have had a great season. We beat them in the league, but it was anything but easy. Winning tomorrow would be a source of pride for us and would bring further satisfaction to the club and our fans.” Manuel Battistini, the Virtus captain, is also taking nothing for granted and remains cautious ahead of tomorrow’s final: “We need to be focused right from the start. We know that not playing can carry some risks, but we’ve trained well and we’re ready. We also know La Fiorita’s worth; they are one of the most successful sides in recent years.” The clash between Virtus and La Fiorita will be refereed by William Villa, assisted by Gianmarco Ercolani and Giuseppe Macaddino. The fourth official will be Marco Avoni. The final at the Stadium will also have free admission and will be broadcast live both on the streaming platform Titani.tv and on San Marino RTV.

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