Futsal, second half of the season kicks off: Cosmos v Tre Penne the one to watch

The San Marino Futsal Championship resumes with the second half of the season, reigniting the race for the top spots – crucial with a view to the postseason, particularly the top two positions – and the battle to avoid missing out, with four teams currently contesting the last remaining berth. On the artificial surface in Fiorentino, Juvenes-Dogana and Pennarossa will go head-to-head at 20:15, followed by Faetano v Tre Fiori at 21:45. The club from Chiesanuova want to take advantage of La Fiorita’s rest day to move into second place. To do so, Novembrini’s side will have to overcome a Juvenes-Dogana team unbeaten in their last three matches. In the second fixture, Tre Fiori are looking to return to winning ways after the defeat to Tre Penne; they face a Faetano side that has climbed back into contention for twelfth place in the table, the last position that guarantees access to the postseason. Four points further back sit San Giovanni, who take on a Domagnano side on a two-game losing streak. The Wolves have been overtaken in the table by Tre Penne after losing the head-to-head clash, and there is no doubt Gasperoni’s players will be eager to bounce straight back. The Rossoneri, with just one win in the first half of the season, must inevitably change gear if they are to give substance to their playoff ambitions. San Giovanni v Domagnano will be preceded by Virtus v Fiorentino, also in Dogana. It will be a step back in time for Michelotti, who last season coached Fiorentino to the San Marino title in rossoblù. Now the odds have flipped, and Virtus – winners of four of their last five – are seeking consistency to climb the table from their current fourth place. A one-sided encounter is expected in Domagnano, where leaders and bottom side meet in Murata v Libertas. The Bianconeri, who should be able to call again on Danilo Busignani, boast both the best attack and the best defence in the league. It is the opposite story for the Granata, who have scored fewer goals than anyone else and conceded over five per game on average in the first half of the season. Only Faetano have done worse, with one goal more conceded. There are two games held over to Tuesday, including a clash that deserves particular attention – namely Tre Penne v Cosmos. While the table may suggest putting a coffee on the Città club, fifth in the standings and winners of three of their last five, it is equally true that the Gialloverdi have shown they can rise to the occasion even in unfavourable circumstances this season. Muccioli’s men come into this one on the back of two straight defeats, but those came against the teams currently second and third in the group. In short, everything is in place for the fixture scheduled at the Acquaviva sports hall to be a lively and evenly balanced contest. Rounding off Matchday 16 – on Wednesday at the Multieventi, which in recent days has hosted the UEFA Under-19 Futsal EURO qualifiers – are Cailungo and Folgore. The Rossoverdi are going through a difficult spell, with Zonzini’s side only slightly better off. For both, this indoor encounter is seen as an opportunity to get back on track in the league. Here is the full Matchday 14 schedule of the San Marino Futsal Championship: Click here for the updated table

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