Futsal: Tre Fiori clinging to their last hopes, La Fiorita eyeing second place

A team coming off three wins in the last four matches, the most recent of which saw them hit double figures. Far from the softest possible opponent for Tre Fiori, who in any case have no choice: they must throw everything at it to keep alive their slim chances of reaching the play-offs, currently four points away. It goes without saying that if the gap to the Libertas–Faetano pair were to widen with only two matchdays left in the regular season, Bugli and his players would be mathematically out of the running. Something they are determined to avoid at all costs, and for that they will need a top-level performance against Juvenes Dogana, a side in excellent form and still keen on the idea of springing a late surprise on Pennarossa and Folgore, the sixth- and fifth-placed teams in the single group, currently three and four points clear of Cellarosi’s Biancorossoazzurri respectively. This will be the only indoor match of Matchday 28, which will be played entirely on Monday evening. It will take place at the Multieventi.

Not far away, at the Dogana pitch, the last two teams qualifying for the Preliminary Round could be decided. Libertas and Faetano, in order to cross that finish line, also depend on Tre Fiori’s result, with the latter the only side still – theoretically – capable of knocking them out. In the meantime, though, both would take a huge step towards their target if they were to get back to winning ways in their respective fixtures. Selva’s Gialloblù go first, facing a Cosmos side wounded by two straight defeats – especially the latest one, a very heavy loss – and closely tracked by Domagnano. Later in the evening, at 21:45, Libertas will face a tough test against a Tre Penne side that has halted a brief slump (two defeats) and remains firmly established in the upper reaches of the group, in fourth place.

In Fiorentino, Murata, back in action after their rest round, will try to immediately restart their winning streak and thus restore the original gap separating them from Virtus, who in turn sit out this Monday dedicated to the third-from-last round. Standing in the way of the reigning champions will be Fiorentino, long since out of contention for any post-season objective. Much the same applies to La Fiorita: Pietrangeli’s men also want to extend their run of victories and capitalise on Virtus’ rest day against opponents – San Giovanni – who no longer have anything at stake in the league. A win would allow Montegiardino to draw level in second place, currently occupied by Virtus – who however hold the edge in the head-to-head record. Another point in common between Murata and La Fiorita is that both will be playing at the “Crescentini” in Fiorentino. The Bianconeri kick off first (20:15), followed by the Gialloblù (21:45).

In Domagnano, there will be a long-distance (in time) duel between Folgore and Pennarossa, who recently swapped positions. Folgore now lead the way and are determined, against Cailungo, to claim a fifth consecutive victory – the surest way to keep the Chiesanuova side at arm’s length. Caution is needed, though, against a Borgo Maggiore team that has returned to winning ways after two defeats and can now play with the freedom of those sitting comfortably in the table. Pennarossa, by contrast, are looking to improve their current position, having stumbled again after beating Tre Fiori and slipping back to sixth place, with an anything-but-comfortable cushion over seventh. The Biancorossi will take on a Domagnano side that sit just ahead of Cosmos (+1) and want to make amends for their defeat to La Fiorita, also drawing inspiration from their convincing win over Pennarossa in the reverse fixture. This will be the game that rounds off the evening in Domagnano.

Here is the Matchday 28 schedule:

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