League: Preliminary Round decided at the death, Fiorentino and Faetano go through

Fiorentino and Murata approached the start line of the Preliminary Round knowing that even a draw would be enough to open the doors of the Quarter-finals, where La Fiorita and Tre Fiori were waiting to discover their opponents for Sunday. Inevitably, in the opening minutes it is tactical caution that dominates both in Montecchio and in Dogana, where the first twist arrives on 15 minutes. El Ardouidi – down on the edge of the final third after a feint – crashes to the ground appealing for a free-kick. Clearly with one word too many, as Albani has no hesitation in flashing a red card at the Fiorentino playmaker. That means 75 minutes with ten men for Fiorentino. Juvenes-Dogana, on the other hand, are forced to deal with the forfait of captain Cevoli, who on 25 minutes gives way to Rodriguez due to a muscle problem. The interval arrives with the deadlock still unbroken, despite a huge chance squandered by Tumidei on 44 minutes: picked out in the box by a knock-down, he horribly mishits his left-footed effort when completely unmarked in front of Berardi. Earlier, Benedettini’s replacement had been decisive in racing off his line to deny Colonna, just when it seemed Juvenes-Dogana had done enough to score. After the restart Belward replaces Abouzziane, but it is still Fabbri’s side who are looking the more dangerous: Tumidei does everything right on 64 minutes, only to fire wide with his right from inside the area. Fiorentino wait patiently for the right opening, which seems to arrive twenty minutes from time when Belward tries to capitalise on a breakdown in communication between Gentilini and Bakalyar. His effort from a tight angle, with the goal unguarded, does not alter the 0-0 scoreline. That result does not survive Juvenes-Dogana’s all-out attacking finale: they go very close to taking the lead with a left-footed strike from Bakalyar, but inevitably leave themselves exposed to Fiorentino’s counter-attacks. Gentilini is monumental in keeping out Belward on his first break, but in the continuation of the move the Biancorossazzurri have to deal with the sending-off of Traglia. Just a couple of minutes later the Rossoblù launch another counter, again through Belward. This time the forward makes no mistake and scores the goal that sends Fiorentino into the Quarter-finals, all the more so in light of Rodriguez’s strike from a Valentini assist in the 93rd minute – a goal that serves only for the statistics. 

As mentioned, clear-cut chances are also at a premium in Montecchio. Faetano appeal for a presumed handball by Petillo near the Murata penalty area, in an action that ends with a right-footed effort straight at the keeper from Lisi. Ricchiuti’s men, needing nothing less than a win, occupy Murata’s defensive third but cannot find the target of Martinez’s goal – with Salemme coming on to replace him midway through the half. Murata, last season’s play-off finalists, appear in the attacking third on 33 minutes with a powerful effort from Echel, but it is too central to trouble Forconesi. The first half in Montecchio also ends goalless, taking Murata a step closer to qualification. Camillini’s side lean on Echel, who tries his luck from distance at the start of the second half without the desired outcome. As the minutes tick by, Faetano commit more men forward in search of a goal and spaces open up for Murata, who fail to take advantage with Socciarelli on two occasions and – incredibly – with Del Vecchio. In between, there is a fine save by Forconesi on Piscopo: all episodes that frame the dramatic finale in which Faetano score in scrappy fashion on 87 minutes. Brisigotti delivers the ball into the middle, Casadei appears to head it goalwards, but the final touch comes off Tomassoni under pressure from his compatriot opponent. The Gialloblù are now within touching distance of a place in the Quarter-finals. Their wish comes true in the most dramatic way imaginable: halfway through the third and final minute of added time, Murata win a penalty, entrusted to Zecchinato. His left-footed diagonal is beyond Forconesi’s reach but crashes against the outside of the post, moments before the final whistle. Faetano are through; Murata’s season ends here.

 Here is the outcome of the San Marino Championship Preliminary Round: