Futsal Champions League: Fiorentino fight hard but Minerva go through

Il Fiorentino Futsal esce a testa alta e con una buona prestazione dalla prima sfida giocata ieri sera e valevole per il turno preliminare di Futsal Champions League in corso di svolgimento a Limassol (Cipro). Di fronte ai ragazzi di Matteo Michelotti – vincitori di Campionato Sammarinese e Titano Futsal Cup – c'era quel Futsal Minerva già affrontato due anni fa in Svizzera e dove si imposero gli elvetici con il punteggio di 17-1. Gli svizzeri hanno centrato i primi tre punti del girone anche ieri sera grazie al punteggio di 5-0 ma il Fiorentino ha lottato al meglio – riscattando così anche l'ultimo precedente con il Minerva - ed è andata anche in qualche occasione vicina al gol. The Fiorentino futsal side can hold their heads high after a strong display in their opening match last night in the preliminary round of the Futsal Champions League, currently being played in Limassol (Cyprus). Lining up against Matteo Michelotti’s men – reigning champions of the Campionato Sammarinese and Titano Futsal Cup – were Futsal Minerva, opponents they had already faced two years ago in Switzerland, when the Swiss ran out 17-1 winners. The Swiss picked up their first three points of the group again last night, this time with a 5-0 scoreline, but Fiorentino battled throughout – also redeeming that previous heavy defeat to Minerva – and on several occasions came close to finding the net. Switzerland’s representatives started on the front foot and were ahead within seconds: Moretti failed to clear properly, Vitor Hugo recovered, spread it wide to Neves Machado whose shot was parried by Mattia Protti, but Everton pounced on the rebound to make it 1-0. Fiorentino tried to hit back immediately and soon won a great ball through Matteo Moretti, who however could not launch the counter with Ercolani ready to break away towards goal. Minerva’s second arrived in the fifth minute following a defensive lapse by the Rossoblu that they could ill afford: Konopek stole the ball and unleashed a fierce effort which went through Protti for 2-0. On 7 minutes came Fiorentino’s best chance up to that point, through Danilo Busignani, who won the ball brilliantly in midfield, accelerated and struck a fine effort towards the far post, only for it to shave the upright. Minerva’s third, however, was not long in coming: Fidersek surged down the left, burst through a little too easily and then fired a powerful left-footed drive at the near post that left Protti with no chance. Michelotti’s side tried to respond and a few minutes later (11'43'') pushed forward again into the opposition area: Busignani won the ball off Fidersek without fouling, the San Marino striker advanced and then picked out the onrushing Ercolani, whose well-struck effort was kept out by Minerva goalkeeper Pereira. The Swiss continued with their customary possession play, but Fiorentino defended compactly and fought hard through to the interval. At the start of the second half, Minerva put together an excellent passing move that ended with a long-range effort from Caio Japa, but Protti reacted well and turned it behind for a corner. From the resulting play, the National Team goalkeeper was again at full stretch to deny Fidersek. The Swiss, coached by Pedro Santos, kept their foot on the pedal, but Protti and his team-mates defended superbly. On 27 minutes of play Minerva created yet another opportunity with their now familiar quick, precise exchanges that freed Neves Machado for the shot, but Protti was outstanding and denied a fourth goal. On the ensuing counter-attack, Busignani tried to beat Pereira with a deft chip, but the keeper managed to tip it behind. With around ten minutes remaining, the Swiss hit the woodwork through Fabio Soares. Minerva continued to push, trying again through Tiago Leonaldi from distance, but once more Protti said no. Minerva’s fourth goal, after several chances, finally arrived on 33 minutes through Konopek: a thunderbolt from outside the area that this time gave Protti no chance, sealing his personal brace for the evening. Minerva kept pressing and, with just under five minutes to go, carved out another gilt‑edged chance, but Protti – Fiorentino’s standout performer on the night – produced a brilliant reflex save from Fidersek’s shot and then from the ensuing follow‑up. Fiorentino also showed something in attack: first with a powerful free-kick from Busignani, beaten away by Pereira, then with Moretti who struck well from distance but failed to hit the target. As the match moved into its final stages, Minerva added a fifth: Caio Japa took advantage of Fiorentino’s advanced shape and then squared for Vitor Hugo, who could not miss when one-on-one with Protti. There was no time for more and the teams headed for the dressing rooms. Fiorentino must now switch focus immediately to this evening’s game (kick-off at 20:00 local time, 19:00 in San Marino) against hosts AEL Limassol, who last night played in front of their own fans (over a thousand in attendance, backing the team with chants and banners) and ran out 8-1 winners over Armenia’s Yerevan.  

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UEFA Futsal Champions League, Preliminary Round | Futsal Minerva – Fiorentino Futsal 5-0 FUTSAL MINERVA Paulo Pereira, Neves Machado, Fabio Soares, Vitor Hugo, Everton A disposizione: Nuno China, Marcoyannakis, Leonaldi, Caio Japa, Halimi, Gajser, Tiago Machado, Fidersek, Konopek. Allenatore: Pedro Santos   FIORENTINO FUTSAL Protti, Maiani, Moretti, Ercolani, Busignani A disposizione: Bollini, Gasperoni, Ceccoli, Rossini, Zafferani, Giacobbi, Serra, Cevoli Allenatore: Matteo Michelotti   Arbitro 1: Trayan Enchev (BUL) Arbitro 2: Panagiotis Ntalas (GRE) Terzo ufficiale: Nikola Tadic (BIH) Cronometrista: Nicolas Nicolaou (CYP)   Ammoniti: Paulo Pereira Marcatori: 00' 29'' Everton, 4' 27'' e 32' 40'' Konopek, 8' 47'' Fidersek, 37' 58'' Vitor Hugo

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