The league is back: Folgore v Tre Penne promises fireworks

After the apotheosis of the San Marino National Team and the masterpiece delivered by NAT San Marino, it is time once again for the Campionato Sammarinese, which – from tomorrow – will kick off Matchday 10. Five games are scheduled as Saturday early fixtures, followed by three matches on Sunday. Saturday’s programme features a single 18:00 kick-off: in Montecchio, Faetano and Juvenes-Dogana will go head-to-head. It is a crucial assignment for the Serravalle side, who welcome back Tani after suspension. Ricchiuti’s Gialloblù are in eleventh place alongside Domagnano, while Fabbri’s team are seven points further back: another defeat would seriously endanger their post-season ambitions. The aforementioned Domagnano take to the pitch at 15:00 tomorrow, when they face La Fiorita at the “Federico Crescentini” in Fiorentino. It is a delicate clash for Rossi, who will have to do without Mazzavillani – banned by the sporting judge. Forced absences also for Ceci, who is missing Gasperoni and Mazzotti. The Montegiardino side are targeting victory to stay in the leading pack. At the summit we find Cosmos and Virtus, both in action at the same time in Montecchio and Acquaviva. On paper, the defending champions appear to have the easier task: their next opponents are Cailungo, who have collected just one point from nine outings. A tougher obstacle lies in wait for Cosmos, namely San Giovanni, who came close to a major upset in last spring’s play-offs. Grassi returns from suspension to give Lepri another option in midfield, while Tognacci’s Rossoneri will have to make do without their midfield metronome, Azael Garcia Rufer. Also among the early fixtures is Tre Penne-Folgore: intriguingly, Berardi’s side – with the coach among the many former figures involved – and Lasagni’s men will meet again on Tuesday in the Coppa Titano quarter-finals. It may well be a last call for the club from Città to get back into the title race, given the seven-point gap to the top and the same number of teams currently ahead of them in the table. Folgore, meanwhile, sit third, level with La Fiorita, and trail the joint leaders by just a single point. Three matches are scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Murata, without a recognised goalkeeper until the winter transfer window opens (both Benedettini and Cervellini are injured), will take on San Marino Academy on the artificial pitch in Fiorentino. Also at 15:00, but in Montecchio, it’s Pennarossa v Tre Fiori. On paper the balance seems to tip towards Girolomoni’s Gialloblù, with the coach back on the touchline to drive his side towards victory. Rounding off the programme is the assignment of the other Fiorentino club, the namesake team coached by Tarini. The most pleasant surprise of this early part of the season lie fifth, just three points off top spot. Their next opponents, Libertas, squandered a two-goal lead against Pennarossa and were pegged back at the death. That match took San Marino football around the world thanks to Osayande’s goal after just 4"07, but it certainly did not leave Sperindio’s side with happy memories. The Granata’s clear objective is to close the gap and force their way firmly into the fight for seventh place. Here is the full schedule for Matchday 10 of the Campionato Sammarinese, which will all be available live via streaming with Italian commentary on the Titani.tv platform.

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