Futsal Cup, Final Eight: the semi-finals will be Domagnano-Murata and Pennarossa-Virtus

Final Eight of the Titano Futsal Cup makes its debut. The revamped format keeps the option for the title holders to skip the previous round – the Round of 16. That is the case for Murata, who in fact made their bow in the competition no later than last night on the Domagnano artificial pitch. The draw handed the Bianconeri Libertas, and it was the Borgo Maggiore side who broke the deadlock in the opening minute through Andrea Selva. The maroon lead was cancelled out by Aruci’s equaliser shortly afterwards, while Busignani pushed Murata into a 3-1 half-time lead with a brace. The San Marino all-rounder repeated the feat after the restart, scoring both the first and last goals of the second half. In between, Murata stretched their advantage to 6-1 thanks to strikes from Protti and Moretti, before late goals from Amati and Selva again slightly reduced Libertas’ deficit.

Pre-tournament favourites Murata had been able to watch the match that would decide their next opponents. Juvenes Dogana and Domagnano produced an entertaining contest that swung the way of the Giallorossi after the break. At half-way, Gasperoni’s men were leading 1-0 thanks to Hidri’s free-kick, a lead immediately wiped out on the scoresheet by Cian with one of the first touches of the second half. Five minutes later, Vagnini put Domagnano back in front and – thanks to Filippo Dolcini – they made the decisive break on 43 minutes. With their backs to the wall, Cellarosi went with a flying goalkeeper for his Juvenes Dogana side, sending on Quaranta for the delicate role. However, the Biancorossazzurri’s efforts were not rewarded with the goal that would have halved the deficit and, on 58 minutes, Quaranta himself – already booked – picked up a second yellow card of the evening, effectively bringing the curtain down on the encounter. Domagnano, into the semi-finals, now face the toughest test: on Thursday evening in Fiorentino they will have to deal with Murata. Santarini returns from suspension, while Hidri, Davide Dolcini and De Bellis will all play one booking away from a ban – as will Aruci on the Bianconeri side.

On the other side of the draw, Virtus came out on top in the blockbuster tie with La Fiorita. The Neroverdi remain unbeaten this season in head-to-heads with the Montegiardino club, doubling down on the league win that proved decisive in clinching second place. Last night in Fiorentino it was Zafferani who opened the scoring just before the quarter-hour mark. Five minutes later it was all square again thanks to a finish from Matteo Chezzi. The arm wrestle was decided after the interval, when Mularoni and Belloni struck the decisive blows for Virtus. Michelotti’s side survived even Pellegrini’s goal on 59 minutes, before finding La Fiorita’s net for a fourth time in the first minute of added time: the spotlight on Umberto Lonfernini.

The Acquaviva club will meet Pennarossa on Thursday evening. Novembrini’s men edged past Cosmos by the narrowest of margins, avoiding extra time by the skin of their teeth. After Verri’s opener, scored on 26 minutes for the Chiesanuova club, Molinas hit back – his 1-1 on 37 minutes sparking celebrations from Guerra and his team-mates. When everything seemed set for extra time, however, it was an own goal from Molinas – the top scorer and standout player in the Gialloverdi ranks – that opened the door to the semi-finals for Pennarossa, leaving a bitter taste for Franchino’s side. No fewer than four Pennarossa players went into the book: Verri, Angelini, Toccaceli and Gasperoni must all avoid a yellow card on Thursday or they will be suspended for a possible final next Sunday at the Multieventi. The same applies to Belloni, the only Virtus player to be booked among the Neroverdi.

Below is the schedule of the Quarter-finals of the Titano Futsal Cup: