League: Tre Fiori close in on play-off final, La Fiorita-Cosmos ends goalless

It is semi-final time in the 2024-25 Campionato Sammarinese play-offs, which will decide the second club that will represent football in the Republic of San Marino in UEFA club competitions. Virtus, the national champions, are already assured of their place in the next Champions League. There are still question marks over the two teams that will enter the Conference League: one will be known on 17 May, when the play-off final is played (San Marino Stadium, 20:45). The other continental spot is up for grabs via the Coppa Titano but, should Bizzotto’s Neroverdi complete the double by lifting that trophy as well (final at the San Marino Stadium on 24 May, 20:45), both play-off finalists would secure a ticket to Europe. For this reason the national cup will bring the Sammarinese football season to a close.

The opening act, in the early afternoon in Dogana, was La Fiorita v Cosmos. Ceci’s side, benefiting from the better league position, took a cautious approach. Selva’s men, by contrast, were well set up and put their foot down from the very start. After barely ten seconds Ben Kacem was already in the box, but the prolonged move produced only a glancing header from Badalassi. Grandoni and Biral then tried their luck without hitting the target, as did Pastorelli from a set piece. Errico’s left-footed effort from the edge of the box midway through the half was the first real shot on target and confirmed Cosmos’ convincing display. At the other end Vitaioli recorded La Fiorita’s first effort, but his right-foot strike from twenty metres caused Semprini no problems. On the half-hour Ben Kacem and Pastorelli attacked the channels around Vivan’s area, but the goalkeeper did not have to intervene on Grandoni’s awkward overhead attempt. Before the break, a good chance fell to Affonso: La Fiorita broke with a Riccardi interception and freed the former Murata man with two vertical passes and as many lay-offs, but his finish missed the target. After the restart the Gialloblù were livelier, driven on by the ever-influential Affonso. On 55 minutes the Brazilian forward skipped past Beninati on the byline before fashioning a left-footed shot from a promising position that was blocked by a defender. Cosmos paid the price for the many energies spent in the first half and were less incisive, though they protested just after the hour for a Gasperoni-Ben Kacem contact in the box – which referee Avoni did not deem worthy of a penalty. La Fiorita failed to make the most of a good headed opportunity for Massari, while in the closing stages Pastorelli had a tempting free-kick for his cultured left foot but could not get the ball over the wall protecting Vivan’s goal. The first leg of the opening semi-final thus ended goalless, a situation that backs Cosmos into a corner: on Tuesday Selva’s men – with their coach sent off for dissent late on – will have to win at all costs, or they will be eliminated.

The second semi-final was played in Montecchio, pitting San Giovanni against Tre Fiori. The opening minutes were lively, with Benedettini embarking on a coast-to-coast run as early as the 2nd minute, finishing with a right-footed shot from inside the area that was deflected off the back of Boldrini. The San Giovanni captain tried again with an ambitious right-footed effort from distance around the quarter-hour mark, while Corinti could not find the spectacular goal direct from the corner flag midway through the half. The best chance came on 23 minutes, when Ghiggini and Robba collided as they tried to halt Bernardi’s counter-attack, which the forward failed to exploit, shooting wide in front of Starna. Shortly afterwards Boldrini produced a moment of inspiration, using the outside of his boot to release Augusto down the flank; his left-footed effort from a tight angle was turned behind for a corner by Tomassini. Before the break Tre Fiori – without Prandelli, initially on the bench due to a calf problem – threatened again: Dolcini’s powerful right-foot drive was parried away by Starna. In a frantic finale, San Giovanni survived a deflected cross from Manfroni and Pini’s subsequent touch and control in the box, halted just in time by Ghiggini’s tackle. Tre Fiori had a scare at the start of the second half when a ricochet between Pini and Pesaresi almost broke the deadlock in San Giovanni’s favour. At the other end Starna was monumental, denying Benedettini the opener with a stunning reflex save. Tognacci’s men soon threatened again, but Corinti’s right-footed effort from the edge of the box failed to hit the target. The sparkling opening to the second half proved to be a flash in the pan: up to the 77th minute there were no further clear chances. Instead, the deadlock was finally broken by Nicko Sensoli, who had come on just 100 seconds earlier. There was clear blame on Ghiggini’s part as he gifted the ball to the Sammarinese forward on the edge of the area: Sensoli kept his cool, shifted it onto his left and beat Starna at the near post. San Giovanni felt the blow and, after a speculative effort from Zanni from distance, conceded a second from the spot. Sensoli was involved again, sending Bernardi through on goal; the latter got to the ball before the onrushing goalkeeper, winning and converting the penalty for 2-0, which puts Tre Fiori firmly on course for the play-off final. Deep into added time Starna prevented a heavier defeat with a superb double save on Bernardi and Sensoli. That may yet prove to be the sliding door moment of the postseason for San Giovanni, who pulled one back at 90+4’ with Senja’s diving header, set up by a deflection on Michelucci’s cross. The match ended 2-1, meaning Tognacci’s men will have to win Tuesday’s return leg by at least two goals to reach the play-off final.

Here is the current line-up of the 2024-25 Campionato Sammarinese play-off semi-finals, all available to watch live and on demand free of charge on Titani.tv: