Futsal reaches the halfway mark: crucial points up for grabs in the derby and late kick-off

The first half of the San Marino Futsal Championship comes to a close. Murata, back in action after their bye week, must respond to La Fiorita’s attempt to close the gap. They will do so by taking on Faetano in a clash between sides at opposite ends of the table, although the Yellow-and-Blues can ride the wave of enthusiasm generated by their win over Libertas, which allowed Corbelli’s men to draw level with Cailungo on 8 points. But there is a caveat, beyond the not-at-all marginal fact of having to face the league leaders: they will be without two indispensable players, Michele Moroni and Giacomo Bacciocchi, both suspended. The meeting between Murata and Faetano will wrap up the programme at the Fiorentino venue, which earlier in the evening will have staged another game between sides far apart in the standings. Virtus, who immediately bounced back from defeat to La Fiorita and protected their fourth place, are looking for continuity and can also count on the potential benefits of the direct clash between Domagnano and Tre Penne, the two teams immediately behind Michelotti’s side. Libertas, the Neroverdi’s opponents on the night, immediately lost momentum after their first win of the season and find themselves once again bottom of the table. In short, Palermino’s men will need a display of character and pride to overturn the odds. On paper, at least on the eve of the match, the derby between Juvenes-Dogana and Folgore, which will open the evening in Dogana, looks far more evenly balanced. Neither side is enjoying a sparkling campaign, especially in comparison with last year. However, Levani’s Biancorossoazzurri are on the up (one win and one draw in their last two), while Zonzini’s Giallorossoneri (with Zonzini a notable former Juvenes-Dogana man) must react after back-to-back defeats. For the time being it is Folgore who are ahead, but by just a single point, and in any case their tally of 16 is shared with Fiorentino and Cosmos. As a result, Juvenes-Dogana can even aim for a triple leapfrog, provided that a possible derby victory is accompanied by favourable results elsewhere. For example, from the Multieventi court, where Cosmos will take on La Fiorita, fresh from a comprehensive 7-1 win over Folgore, achieved on the very same Serravalle court. Traviglia’s side have significantly reduced their deficit to the summit (now just a single point) by taking advantage of Murata’s rest week, while Muccioli’s Gialloverdi sit bang in the middle of the table and need to shift up a gear after a recent run of one draw and one defeat. There is one certain and significant absentee for the Montegiardino outfit: goalkeeper Andreani, sidelined by suspension for accumulated bookings. Speaking of shifting gears, the need is pressing for Fiorentino and even more so for Cailungo, who meet in the only fixture scheduled in Domagnano. The reigning champions were beaten, and quite clearly, by former bottom side San Giovanni, while Venerucci’s Rossoverdi, having lost their early-season spark, have stumbled into a long run of defeats, starting after their Matchday 6 win over Libertas. Faetano’s recent victory, which saw them draw level on points, has complicated the path of the Borgo Maggiore side who, however, with a positive result could take advantage of the benefits arising from the – admittedly rather tricky – fixtures facing their direct rivals. Fiorentino have different concerns: they boast a healthy advantage over their opponents on the night (16 points to 8), can draw strength from Tre Fiori’s bye week (with Tre Fiori just one point ahead), yet at the same time are exposed to the challenge of sides such as Juvenes-Dogana, Folgore and Cosmos. Gianni Galli will be without Andrea Gasperoni through suspension. As mentioned, San Giovanni have climbed off the foot of the table. They did so thanks to their first win of the season, secured precisely at Fiorentino’s expense. If appetite grows with eating, it is easy to imagine Franchino’s side plotting another big scalp, although one cannot ignore that their match is yet another of the many top-versus-bottom clashes on the final matchday of the first round. More specifically, San Giovanni will have to take on a Pennarossa in perfect health (they have won every game since Matchday 3) and constantly “glued” to the top two, Murata and La Fiorita. The game will be played in Dogana, where Danny Gasperoni will be absent – at least from the teamsheet – as he serves a suspension. Given all these meetings between sides at opposite ends of the standings, it is fair to say dulcis in fundo when thinking of the only Tuesday late kick-off. Domagnano and Tre Penne are not only neighbours in the table, not only separated by a single point, but are also fighting over fifth place – a position that carries with it a substantial load of hope – and opportunity – in the race for direct play-off qualification. This is due less to how far we are into the season (half the journey still lies ahead) than to the cruising speed of the current Fab Four, who risk breaking away from the two late-kick-off rivals should they fail to take all three points. In short, Domagnano v Tre Penne is a clash to relish from start to finish, with the Wolves looking to claim their first three points of 2025 – after last Monday’s defeat to Virtus – and to crown an excellent first half of the campaign, while the Biancoazzurri intend to build on – and round off their own excellent first half of the season with – the victory they achieved over Tre Fiori. This is the fixture list for Matchday 15 of the league: Click here for the updated standings

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