League: Cosmos win at the death, Libertas back on their feet

A come-from-behind, stoppage-time victory for Andy Selva’s Cosmos, who celebrate their first success under the Gialloverdi coach. In the early fixtures of the 19th matchday of the Campionato Sammarinese, the Serravalle club have to battle hard for all three points against a Pennarossa side in the game right until the end. Cosmos’ evening gets off to a bad start, with Imre Badalassi forced off injured on 17 minutes, making way for Rinaldi. Despite that setback, the Gialloverdi manage to break the deadlock before half-time: Rinaldi finds Fermi on the edge of the box, he makes a perfect run between Martini and Gega and, once inside the area, beats Del Prete with his right foot. Dolci’s Pennarossa – still bottom of the table – refuse to give in and, on the hour mark, they find the equaliser from the spot through Pintore, after the No.9 himself wins the penalty following a coming together on the edge of the area with Maggioli. The goal fires up the Biancorossi, who push forward more often towards Semprini’s goal. Indeed, on 77 minutes Pintore finds the net again to put his side in front: a long ball over the top from Azzurro finds the Pennarossa forward, who drives forward, controls, cuts inside and curls a superb left-footed strike into the top corner. Cosmos, however, refuse to lie down and pile forward in search of a way back. On 84 minutes, Fermi drives forward with the ball, exchanges passes neatly with Rinaldi, the midfielder bursts into the area and beats Del Prete with his right for the second time. The final word goes to Di Meo, who in stoppage time rises to head home the winner – from a Ben Kacem assist – nipping in ahead of Del Prete to secure three precious points for the Gialloverdi. If Cosmos had not won since 15 December, Libertas end a winless run that had lasted almost four months (since 6 October, 1-0 against Murata). The Granata defeat San Marino Academy 3-1 thanks to an extremely clinical display. Barely underway and Buda’s team are already in front: Tomassini breaks down the flank and plays the ball across for Michelotti, who beats Borasco with his left foot. The Academy, however, take control of the play and push to get back into it. A golden opportunity comes just before the half-hour mark with a fine left-footed effort from Giacopetti, but Guglielmi clears almost off the line. Shortly after the restart, Libertas strike again: a pinpoint cross from Buturca finds the head of Buzi, who makes it 2-0. The script is the same in the second half: Academy make the game, Libertas sit tight and strike on the break. That is exactly what happens on 64 minutes when Tomassini – with his second assist of the day – lays the ball back to the edge of the box for Moretti, who unleashes a powerful right-footer that proves lethal for Borasco. In the closing stages, Grieco’s dismissal for a second yellow card is the only negative note for Libertas, who shortly afterwards also concede – inconsequentially – to a Simone Santi penalty, awarded for a handball in the area. At Montecchio, it finishes 3-1 to the Granata, who collect three hugely valuable points in the race for the play-off spots. A bad day for Cecchetti’s Titani, who suffer a third defeat in a row. Goals galore and plenty of entertainment between San Giovanni and Faetano, with Rossoneri and Gialloblù sharing the points after a 3-3 draw in Domagnano. The first half belongs to Lisi’s team (on the bench in place of the suspended Tognacci), who, after Zanni hits the bar early on, manage to break the deadlock on the half-hour mark. Fabbri delivers a superb cross from the wing and, in the middle, Augusto Garcia Rufer stretches to steer the ball into the corner with the outside of his right foot. Moments later, Faetano restore parity: Festa Gallo swings a cross into the area, Brisigotti flicks it on with his head and Tolomeo races onto it to beat the other No.22 – Fabbri – with a right-footed finish to make it 1-1. As mentioned, it is an open, entertaining game and, before the break, San Giovanni go back in front. Acquarelli brings down De Nicolò on the edge of the box and referee Borriello points to the spot. Zanni steps up and makes no mistake. Trailing by a goal, Faetano then also have to deal with an injury to Forconesi, so Casalboni takes his place between the posts (54’). The new goalkeeper is immediately alert on 76 minutes when he denies Augusto Garcia Rufer. A minute later, however, San Giovanni seem to put the game to bed. De Nicolò picks up a loose ball on the edge of the area and curls in a pinpoint right-footed strike to make it 3-1. It looks all over for Faetano but just two minutes later they pull one back through Festa Gallo, who uses his strength well in the box before smashing in a powerful and unstoppable right-footed effort. Ricchiuti’s men now believe, and the equaliser arrives on 90 minutes. Brisigotti lays the ball back to Acquarelli, the defender tries his luck from distance with a shot that does not look unsaveable for Starna, but the keeper is caught out. It is the goal that seals the 3-3 final scoreline and gives Faetano some breathing space after four straight defeats. Tre Penne also win – albeit from behind – against Domagnano. At Montecchio, the 18:00 kick-off is played under a thick fog and it is Paolo Rossi’s side who break the deadlock through Babboni, who finishes after being played in by Gregori. Tre Penne respond and, before the interval, Nigretti gets his name on the scoresheet, turning in the initial effort from new signing Fabio Cuomo. After the break, the fog still hangs over the stadium next to the Casa del Calcio. On the hour mark, Nicola Berardi’s side complete the turnaround through Tommaso Guidi, who takes advantage of an indecision in the box from Mattia Amati and beats Colonna to give the Biancoazzurri the lead. The exclamation point for the side from Città comes on 90 minutes when Gaiani, from the edge of the area, slips an elegant pass through for Dormi, who lifts the ball over the advancing Colonna with a delicate finish. At Montecchio it ends 3-1 to Tre Penne, who extend their unbeaten run and climb to seventh place, overtaking San Giovanni. Tomorrow all of the top four are in action: leaders Virtus take on third-placed Fiorentino, while second-placed La Fiorita face an in-form Tre Fiori, currently fourth. As always, every match will be streamed live on Titani.tv. Here is the partial schedule for matchday 19 of the Campionato Sammarinese: Click here for the updated standings.

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