Futsal: key late fixtures in the play-off race, Faetano out to extend their run

The rest day prevents La Fiorita from immediately chasing redemption after their setback in the derby. In fact, Pietrangeli’s side now run a serious risk of losing further ground on the leading pack, headed by a Murata side facing the first team to halt their charge this season, namely Cosmos, who in the first half of the campaign ended the Bianconeri’s long winning streak by holding them to a 3-3 draw. Franchino’s men are called upon to produce a performance with at least the same ruthlessness and intensity, also to quickly file away the defeat to Virtus, which brought to an end a run of five consecutive victories. Back then Cosmos-Murata was played in Dogana, while this time it will be the Fiorentino pitch to host the clash between the league leaders and the sixth-placed side. On the same court, at 20:15, it will be Juvenes Dogana and Tre Penne crossing paths. Penserini’s team are riding the wave of six straight wins and remain firmly attached to Murata, who lead them by just one point – with Virtus, however, close behind. It is undoubtedly a delicate assignment, against a Juvenes Dogana side winless in their last two outings and still with Folgore in their sights – they drew with them on Thursday – as well as Cosmos, who are – respectively – two and three points ahead. Then there is Virtus, looking to put pressure on Tre Penne but also to make the most of La Fiorita’s recent dip and current rest day. The Neroverdi have reached five wins in a row and will be chasing a sixth against a Domagnano side that bounced back immediately after slipping up against Fiorentino, and are now seeking the consistency that is a necessary condition to improve a league position that is currently not particularly flattering for Gasperoni’s Wolves. This will be the match that opens the programme in Dogana, which is rounded off by the meeting between Pennarossa and Fiorentino. The two teams are currently a long way apart in the table: Fiorentino got a breath of fresh air by beating Domagnano, but then had to bow straight away to Tre Penne. As for Pennarossa, it was precisely their most recent game against Domagnano that provided the springboard for the Biancorossi: since then, a draw (with La Fiorita) followed by two wins.

The last match on Monday evening – though only in terms of kick-off time – is the indoor clash between Faetano and Folgore. Managing the surge of adrenaline after the stunning victory over La Fiorita is the big talking point in the yellow-and-blues’ camp: it falls to Matteo Selva to shape it and turn it into an extra driving force, useful to propel his side towards what would be a third consecutive win. On the other side, a Folgore team who have almost twice as many points in the table and have Cosmos very much in their sights, as they face what is currently the toughest test the league can offer. Folgore are also driven by the need to restore their relationship with victory, which has been interrupted for a couple of matches. Kick-off is at 22:00 at the Multieventi. At the same time, but the following day, the match-up between Libertas and Tre Fiori will take place. Both sides are going through a very difficult spell and are floundering in areas of the table that are anything but comfortable. Especially Tre Fiori, recently overtaken by their “cousins” Fiorentino and now sitting second from bottom, just ahead of San Giovanni. Libertas currently occupy a play-off spot, but are in desperate need of a spark to end an absolute drought of points that has lasted six matches. The venue for the encounter will be the Acquaviva Sports Hall, the same venue that will host the second and final late fixture of Matchday 19 the following day. This will be a matter reserved for two teams from the same Castello, Borgo Maggiore. San Giovanni, coming off their rest day, will take to the court already knowing the results of their direct rivals in the standings, namely Tre Fiori and Fiorentino: who knows whether this might give the Rossoneri that extra quid they need to rediscover a win that has been missing since the very first game of the season. On the other side, a Cailungo side also some way removed from their last victory and currently fourth from bottom, just two points above the danger zone. Here too, as in the other two indoor fixtures, kick-off will be at 22:00.

Here is the fixture list for Matchday 19 of the league:

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