League: double derby on Saturday of Matchday 23

The hierarchy at the top of the table has changed: now it is Tre Fiori, fresh from their first league defeat, who have to chase. On Saturday Girolomoni’s side will immediately test their capacity to adapt – or rather, to react – to this new situation in a clash that is never ordinary, because the former leaders have a derby with Fiorentino on their agenda. Fiorentino have been inconsistent, but overall are in good form and are certainly no strangers to high‑profile upsets – see La Fiorita’s defeat inflicted by them just under three weeks ago. Tre Fiori will, of course, have no shortage of motivation, not least the desire to rediscover a win that has been missing for three matches. The game will be played at the ground most familiar to both sides: Fiorentino’s “Crescentini”.

Virtus have also recently changed their status: they are now the pace‑setters. Unlike Tre Fiori, the Neroverdi come into this with a rather long winning streak – four games – and are aiming to “shift into fifth gear” in their match against San Giovanni, another of Saturday’s early kick‑offs, at the Montecchio Stadium. The Rossoneri are themselves on a positive run (two wins) and will try to make life difficult for the reigning champions, as they are also looking to shake off Pennarossa (level on points) and continue their pursuit of Libertas, five points ahead. Just behind them is Faetano, very close, but also facing a very tough nut to crack. Sperindio’s side will take on La Fiorita in the so‑called “Marano derby”, which is also part of Saturday’s programme. After defeats against Tre Penne and Fiorentino, the Montegiardino outfit are trying to get back on track, but still lack the consistency needed to at least close in on Folgore. Therefore, it is a fixture Ceci’s men simply cannot afford to get wrong, especially as they will face a side in deep trouble, coming off back‑to‑back defeats and without a win in three. It is well known, though, that derbies can provide unexpected boosts. This one will be played in Domagnano.

In Acquaviva, Tre Penne, having just claimed the scalp of the former leaders, will look to heap further pressure on them, while naturally keeping an eye on top spot, which is not too far away from Giovanni Bonini’s team – only five points. Standing in the Biancoazzurri’s way on Saturday will be a Juvenes Dogana side in serious difficulty – two defeats in a row – who now feel the shadow of Libertas looming just three points behind. Libertas, for their part, will not have an easy test. They face a Folgore side flying high, with four wins and a draw – against Tre Fiori – in their last five outings. This match will be played on Sunday at the Domagnano sports ground, while Cailungo and Domagnano will meet in Montecchio: the former to reverse their negative trend and try to pull away from second‑from‑bottom, the latter to verify that their own upturn in form is reaching maturity. The Wolves, in fact, are chasing a third consecutive victory; in the table, they are chasing La Fiorita, three points ahead. Cosmos also have their sights firmly set, not on one but on two teams, including Domagnano. While the Giallorossi, despite being close, are not yet within striking distance, Fiorentino are just one point ahead of Andy Selva’s side, who intend to extend their unbeaten run and, ideally, make it back‑to‑back wins after their narrow success over San Marino Academy. Murata will try to spoil the Gialloverdi’s plans, but they will need a rapid – and major – step up in quality in a period where the Bianconeri have not only been losing with worrying regularity, but also conceding too many goals: never fewer than four in their last three outings. The setting will be Fiorentino Stadium. In Acquaviva, meanwhile, San Marino Academy will take on a Pennarossa side who are struggling (without a win since 7 December) but still hold a sizeable cushion (10 points) over Di Maio’s men, who in turn are determined to immediately erase the defeat to Cosmos and pick up the thread they had begun to weave in the previous two matches. This match will be available in a dual live stream: on Titani.tv and also on FIFA+. All the others will be live exclusively on Titani.tv.

Below is the Matchday 23 fixture list for the league: