League: Cosmos threat for Virtus, Folgore-Fiorentino in playoff duel

Cosmos will stand in Virtus’ way on their road to the title. On Matchday 20 of the Campionato Sammarinese, which kicks off this weekend, the black-and-greens at the top of the table will have to watch out for the yellow-and-greens coached by Andy Selva. Bizzotto’s side are looking down on everyone from the summit and hold a five-point lead over closest chasers La Fiorita (with the head-to-head still to come next week, on Sunday 16 February). Cosmos, for their part, sit sixth and are chasing points to stay in that playoff zone which keeps the European race alive. Moreover, in the reverse fixture the yellow-and-greens ran out 3-1 winners in what remains Virtus’ only defeat so far. Since that setback, the Acquaviva club have not looked back: one draw – against La Fiorita – and then thirteen wins on the spin. As for absences: the black-and-greens will still be without suspended Tortori (available again from the next round), while Cosmos may have to do without Badalassi, who was forced off last time out by a fresh injury. With the big showdown against La Fiorita looming, Virtus will also have to keep a close eye on players one booking away from suspension: Gori, Lombardi, Passaniti, Vallocchia and the talisman Buonocunto. The match is scheduled for Sunday at 15:00 on the Montecchio artificial pitch. La Fiorita, meanwhile, will play on Saturday, as they look – as mentioned – to close the gap on the leaders. Stefano Ceci’s side will take to the Montecchio pitch at 18:00 against Pennarossa. On paper it is almost a top-versus-bottom clash: the Biancorossi are currently propping up the table, despite some encouraging recent performances. La Fiorita will be without the suspended Zaccaria, while the players at risk of missing the big match with Virtus through suspension are Brighi, Semprini, Vitaioli and Zazas Sanchez. While the title race now looks like a two-horse affair, the battle for the playoffs is becoming ever tighter. From third to seventh place – the last position guaranteeing direct access – the teams are separated by only six points. If we also include San Giovanni (8th) and Murata (9th), the gap extends to ten points. So the clash between Folgore and Fiorentino on Sunday at 15:00 in Domagnano already has a real post-season flavour. The Falciano side sit third and come into it off the back of victory over Cailungo, while Tarini’s Rossoblu – fifth in the standings – want to bounce back after losing to Virtus (their second defeat in the last three). On paper, Tre Fiori and San Giovanni have a more straightforward round. The Gialloblu, currently fourth, will face Domagnano, who are eleventh at the moment. Tre Fiori are on a three-match unbeaten run, while the Giallorossi have not won since as far back as 8 December. That game will be played on Sunday at 18:00 in Montecchio. There is a similar scenario for San Giovanni, who take on Juvenes-Dogana (Sunday at 15:00 in Fiorentino). The Rossoneri, currently eighth, are just one point away from direct playoff qualification and are unbeaten in three (two wins and a draw); Achille Fabbri’s side, meanwhile, have suffered back-to-back defeats and are looking for points to cling on to eleventh place (the last spot that still gives a chance of staying alive in the post-season). Also in action on Matchday 20 are San Marino Academy and Faetano, as well as Tre Penne and Cailungo. It will be a delicate encounter between Cecchetti’s Titani – coming off three straight defeats – and Ricchiuti’s Gialloblu, who have picked up just one point from their last five. Academy and Faetano will cross swords on Saturday at 15:00 in Fiorentino. Also on Saturday but at 18:00, Tre Penne and Cailungo will face off. Berardi’s side are in good shape (two wins and a draw from their last three) and are chasing precious points to remain in the playoff slots; just one point from the last three outings for Sarti’s men, who are stuck in 14th place. As always, all matches will be broadcast live – and free of charge – with full Italian commentary on the Titani.tv platform. Here is the Matchday 20 schedule in the Campionato Sammarinese: Click here for the updated league table.

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