Futsal, league: two top-of-the-table clashes between teams with a perfect record

The fourth round, kicking off tomorrow evening and concluding 24 hours later at the Acquaviva Sports Hall, promises more than one showdown at the top. The preview of this highly intriguing matchday in the San Marino Futsal Championship rightly starts from the Tuesday late fixture, which pits against each other two sides with a perfect record and level on points, as neither has yet observed their rest day. Three wins from three is the calling card with which Murata and Folgore arrive at this eagerly awaited clash – certainly not yet decisive, but extremely useful in gauging the form and condition of Cellarosi’s revamped Murata and of a Folgore side already capable of clinching a trophy in this season that has only just begun. Zonzini’s team currently boasts the best defence in the league (only two goals conceded) and comes into this on the back of their Titano Futsal Cup win over Cosmos, while Murata were unable to start the national cup with a victory but still managed to salvage the night by coming back from 0-2 down against Virtus. The kick-off time has been moved compared to previous early fixtures: it will be at 21:45 instead of 21:15. On Monday’s card, the standout tie is undoubtedly the derby between Fiorentino and Tre Fiori. Both sides come into the game with only wins behind them, albeit in different numbers: three in the case of Michelotti’s team, two for Bugli’s men, who were idle last Monday. The Gialloblù did play in the Titano Futsal Cup on Thursday, comfortably dealing with Faetano, while the Rossoblù had the night off as holders of the trophy and therefore exempt from the round of 16. The match will be played in Fiorentino, with kick-off set for 21:45. Earlier, on the same court, Cailungo and Faetano will have faced off. Both are coming from cup defeats, but in the league Cailungo can still ride the wave of fresh enthusiasm after claiming their first win last Monday at the expense of San Giovanni. Gualtieri’s side, on the other hand, are still stuck on zero. In Domagnano, Virtus will be chasing a third straight win in a meeting with Cosmos. The latter have followed the exact opposite path to the Neroverdi from Acquaviva: victory in their opener, then two defeats. Redemption is therefore the mission for Muccioli’s men, who also need to react to the 2-0 loss suffered in the cup. The second game in Domagnano will see Tre Penne and Libertas face off, both still pointless in the league, although the Granata side have played one game fewer. In the cup, Tre Penne, much to their regret, confirmed their league form, while Libertas took a big step towards qualification with a clear 4-0 win over Cailungo. Mixed feelings between cup and league also for Juvenes-Dogana, albeit in the opposite way to Libertas. In the main competition, the biancorossoazzurri are among the sides with a 100% record so far (two wins from two), but in the Titano Futsal Cup round of 16 they suffered a somewhat unexpected defeat, although not yet decisive for qualification. Roberto Levani will nevertheless have taken his notes as he prepared tomorrow’s clash, which pits his team against a San Giovanni side still without points. Juvenes-Dogana will be without Gianni, sent off in the previous round. Domagnano and La Fiorita will then be tasked with closing out the evening’s programme at the Ezio Conti. The two sides are currently separated by three points, with La Fiorita showing great character to bounce back from their opening defeat to Tre Fiori, and Domagnano stalling after their first-day win over San Giovanni. It was precisely against the Rossoneri that the Wolves rediscovered victory in the cup, a result they now look to as they approach tomorrow’s delicate encounter. Their aim is naturally to draw level with their opponents on the night, while La Fiorita will be keeping a very close eye on the two direct clashes (in Fiorentino and Acquaviva) as they look to continue their climb. Pennarossa have a bye. Here is the full fixture list for Matchday 4:

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