Futsal: Cosmos and Tre Penne pull off upsets, Cailungo take the derby

A couple of truly surprising results light up the evening of Matchday 18. Folgore stumble against Cosmos and lose further ground on the summit. Above all, Zonzini’s men dropping points completely reopens the race for second place, with La Fiorita and Murata now sitting just three and four points off the runners-up spot respectively. Tre Fiori remain in touch as well, although their rest day has seen the Gialloblù slip from third to fifth. The Serravalle derby, played in Dogana, opens up after 9 minutes. Bacciocchi puts Cosmos in front, setting the tone for a standout individual performance. Folgore’s response is almost immediate through Chezzi, and at the start of the second half they complete the turnaround thanks to Koci’s strike. Biordi’s 3-1 on 50 minutes looks very much like the final word, but Cosmos have a comeback written in their DNA, and they make it count with two more goals from Bacciocchi in the space of a minute between the 54th and 55th. The draw allows Muccioli’s side to get straight back on the scoreboard after the defeat to La Fiorita, overtaking Pennarossa and moving to within a single point of Libertas. The latter are comfortably beaten by Fiorentino. Giorgini replies to the reigning champions’ opener, scored by Zafferani. Goals from Cevoli and Gasperoni open up a gap that is further widened at the start of the second half by Busignani. Davide Rossi tries to spark a comeback, but any hopes are finally snuffed out by two more goals, again from Busignani and Zafferani. Alongside Folgore’s draw, the other highly unexpected result comes from the clash between Juvenes-Dogana and Tre Penne. It is the side from San Marino City who prevail, completing an incredible turnaround. Inside the first quarter of an hour, Juvenes-Dogana had established a commanding lead thanks to a Cavalli brace and a goal from Chezzi. Dominella and Ercolani dragged Tre Penne back into it, but before the interval the Serravalle side had restored a three-goal cushion with two further strikes from Cavalli. The second half, however, is a very different story. Ten minutes in, Benedettini makes it 5-3, and is joined on the scoresheet almost immediately by Contato. Juvenes-Dogana defend their slender advantage right up to the closing minutes. Then Muccioli is shown a straight red card and Tre Penne waste no time in making the most of it. It is Gamba who starts a one-two punch that proves fatal for Juvenes-Dogana. The goal that completes the astonishing comeback, again from the number 28 in biancazzurro, allows Ghiotti’s men to pull away from their closest pursuers, while Levani’s side are caught by Domagnano. The latter were involved in a direct duel with Virtus. The Neroverdi go into half-time in front thanks to Sensoli’s winning touch on 4 minutes. Santarini restores parity – with a back-heel – right at the start of the second half. The 1-1 scoreline is still on the board at the final whistle, thanks also to Muraccini’s saves from two 10-metre free-kicks taken by Sensoli. Staying with direct battles, there was plenty of focus on the showdown between Cailungo and San Giovanni, who came into the game level on 4 points along with Faetano. It is the red-and-greens who claim the derby and move a little closer to the door leading to the post-season. The first breakthrough indeed belongs to Cailungo: Esposito scores on 4 minutes, only for Ugolini to level within sixty seconds. The Rossoverdi go back in front on 8 minutes through Moroni and then create a healthy cushion thanks to goals from Burgagni and Flammini. Zafferani and then Ugolini again haul San Giovanni back into contention, but Cailungo stubbornly wrest the contest back their way through goals from Sabatino and Flammini. The last attempt at a comeback for San Giovanni comes from captain Ugolini, who rounds off his night with a hat-trick. The final word, however, still goes to Cailungo, as Giardi applies the definitive seal on their second league win of the season. San Giovanni stay on 4 points, as do Faetano, who are heavily beaten by Murata. The Bianconeri break the deadlock fairly late: it’s the 30th minute when Mattioli makes it 1-0, while the second arrives in added time courtesy of Rizzo. Mattioli again and Rizzo again put Faetano at a safe distance with just 5 minutes played in the second half. Gualtieri’s side pull one back on 39 minutes through very fresh former Murata man De Cesare, who from the penalty spot beats another recent ex, Giusti. In the final quarter of an hour, Rossini and Capicchioni slam the door shut on a comprehensive win that allows Murata to temporarily overtake Tre Fiori, albeit having played one game more than Bugli’s side. La Fiorita also make full use of Tre Fiori’s rest day to snatch third place from them. Gianni Galli’s team sweep aside Pennarossa with a resounding 11-1 win. There are multiple goals for Giuccioli and Bernardi, both of whom net hat-tricks, and for Mariotti, who scores Montegiardino’s final two goals. Franciosi, Bartoli and Gualandi each contribute one. For Pennarossa – who finish the game without coach Casadei, sent off late on for dissent – the consolation goal bears Ciacci’s name. Here is the full picture from Matchday 18 of the league: Click here for the updated table

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