Futsal: Intergroup phase concludes tomorrow, Folgore closing in on the play-offs

If it is not a record, it can’t be far off. With San Giovanni on a bye week, Folgore are set to clinch their play-off spot with seven matchdays to spare. That will be the case if Massimiliano Spada’s team get a result tomorrow night against Faetano – an achievement that, to put it mildly, seems well within reach for the Giallorossoneri, given they have done nothing but win since the start of the season. What’s more, they will be facing a Gialloblù side who, on paper, are not among the favourites to halt their relentless march, all the more so considering that Corbelli and his team currently sit bottom of Group B with just one win and one draw to their name. Whether David can stop Goliath will be revealed at the end of the second fixture in Dogana. In the first, Domagnano will in turn look to wrap up the play-off race – if not mathematically, then at least in practical terms – aiming to move +11 clear of San Giovanni, or at worst +10 ahead of Libertas should the latter overtake their neighbours. The Wolves are chasing a third win in four games and will face Pennarossa, buoyed by having recently taken back their place ahead of Virtus at the edge of the play-off zone. Virtus are naturally hoping for a favour from Domagnano but, before anything else, they must take maximum points from their clash with Juvenes-Dogana, who this year managed to defeat the Neroverdi in the Titano Futsal Cup but continue to struggle badly in the league. On the same pitch – Fiorentino – Cailungo and Cosmos will meet in the late game. Both look at the play-offs as a steep mountain to climb, particularly Cailungo, who are bottom of Group A, while Cosmos can still believe in a comeback provided they dramatically change gear starting from this matchday, and then play all their cards in the direct clashes of the return phase. Both sides come into this one on the back of two defeats following a draw, and both are targeting their second win of the campaign. As mentioned, Libertas have the chance to overtake a “resting” San Giovanni. The task, however, is a tough one for Penserini’s Granata, who must contend with a fired‑up Tre Fiori side eager to bounce back after the heavy derby defeat that cost Bugli and his players their temporary lead at the top of Group B. That top spot now belongs exclusively to La Fiorita, who face Fiorentino in the most intriguing fixture of the entire league programme: the two teams will meet in Acquaviva in a match that will also serve as a mutual dress rehearsal with a view to the play-offs. Palermino and Michelotti will not miss the chance to take notes. Here is the schedule for Matchday 14 of the 2021–22 Campionato Sammarinese di futsal:

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