Futsal: the Città derby is worth top spot in the league

With the twentieth matchday done and dusted, it’s time to rewind the tape and pick up the story of the fourteenth round of the league – which was postponed at the time because of snow. Extra shifts on court, already tomorrow, for almost all the participating teams: the only exceptions are Fiorentino, who have a bye, and Tre Fiori. Domagnano’s next opponents did not take to the court on Monday evening, which is why Gasperoni’s Wolves, looking for consistency in their results, will have to be wary of a side that still has something to say in the race for the postseason – currently three points away, in fact. This fixture will close out the day’s programme, as it is the only indoor match and is scheduled to kick off at 22:00 in the Acquaviva sports hall.

The spotlight will be on the artificial pitch in Dogana, where at 20:15 top spot in the table will be on the line. Favourites Murata face Tre Penne, who – since last 1 December – have known nothing but victory. After Monday’s thrilling win over Virtus, Penserini’s men will test themselves against the number one title contender. Later it will be the turn of Pennarossa and San Giovanni, who are experiencing diametrically opposed periods. The Chiesanuova club has started to pick up results in line with the quality of its squad, getting back into the hunt for a place in the top four – even if it is not exactly within touching distance. San Giovanni, on the other hand, are bottom of the table and trail the postseason line by eight points.

There is also a double-header in Domagnano, where Folgore and Virtus will be looking to bounce back after painful defeats at the start of the week. The Neroverdi are eyeing the direct clash in Dogana between the two sides ahead of them, while also keeping a close watch in their rear-view mirror: La Fiorita, after their win over Juvenes Dogana, have closed to within three points with a game in hand. Virtually, then, they could consider themselves level. The cushion over fifth place, for Michelotti’s team, is still reassuring at seven points. Just behind them sit Folgore: the Falciano club have held on to sixth, also because only Domagnano managed to win among the teams behind them – and did so precisely at Zonzini’s side’s expense. In the 21:45 kick-off, on the same pitch, La Fiorita will then meet Cosmos. The Gialloblù returned to winning ways after the incredible slip-up against Faetano that cost them third place in the standings. Monday’s reaction is the brightest note for Pietrangeli’s men, who must now back it up against a Cosmos side on a three-game losing streak – in which, it must be said, they have faced Murata, Virtus and Pennarossa.

On the artificial surface in Fiorentino, Faetano-Juvenes Dogana will open the evening’s programme. Both Selva’s side and Cellarosi’s men will be aiming to bounce back. The Serravalle team have not won in four matches, collecting just a single point in the derby with Folgore. Faetano have done better, alternating two defeats with two wins that have lifted the Gialloblù up to eleventh place, level with Libertas and three points clear of Fiorentino – currently the first team below the line. In the race for the last berths in the postseason, a key role will be played by the Borgo Maggiore derby between Libertas and Cailungo. At present, both are inside the cut, albeit with a very slim margin. Fiorentino, who have a rest round, would clearly welcome a draw that would not only keep the picture unchanged but also leave all the teams ahead of them within reachable distance.

Below is the schedule for the rescheduled 14th matchday of the league:

Click here to view the standings