League: twin head-to-head clashes with a view to the play-offs

Even though it is far too early to start doing the maths, with only seventeen of the thirty regular season games played, it is clear that the fixtures scheduled at the “Federico Crescentini” Stadium in Fiorentino on Saturday and Sunday could prove pivotal in the race for the postseason – in particular for access to the Preliminary Round.

Pennarossa-Faetano (Saturday, 15:00) and San Giovanni-Libertas (Sunday, 15:00) will in fact feature the four sides – separated by just five points – that are most directly involved in the battle for the last two play-off spots. As things stand, it is the Biancorossi and the Granata who occupy the favourable positions, and any win for both of them, which would repeat the results from the first half of the season, would widen the gap while also adding the extra advantage of the head-to-head record. In short, the upcoming weekend will be extremely delicate – if not already decisive – for the race to qualify for the Preliminary Round.

Saturday’s programme includes two high-profile matches, starting with Tre Penne-La Fiorita (Montecchio, 15:00). Were it not for the points deduction imposed on the Gialloblù at the start of the season, the two sides would be level in third place – a position that currently belongs solely to the club from Città, who hold a five-point cushion. Hopes of re-entering the title race have diminished after Tre Fiori’s midweek win, which opened up an eight-point gap over Tre Penne. All the same, taking three points against the team coached by former Tre Penne stalwart Stefano Ceci is essential if they are to keep any comeback dreams alive. The only game scheduled for 18:15 will see Virtus take to the field, facing Cosmos in Acquaviva on Saturday. Andy Selva’s Gialloverdi will round off a week in which they have gone up against three of the top five: last weekend’s 3-0 win over Domagnano was followed by a defeat by the same scoreline in yesterday’s rescheduled Round 16 fixture with Tre Fiori in Dogana. The reigning champions Virtus know they cannot afford to drop more points, having slipped three behind the leaders. The early kick-off programme is completed by Folgore-Murata, which will also be played at the Acquaviva Stadium, kicking off at 15:00. It will be a second match in four days for Lasagni’s side, who were in action on Tuesday evening against Faetano to make up the game postponed due to fog last Saturday. Having drawn level with Domagnano, the Falciano club now have their sights set on taking fifth place, with the ambition of putting pressure on La Fiorita – currently two points ahead.

On Sunday, Tre Fiori will look to consolidate top spot when they face San Marino Academy in Acquaviva (15:00). Roberto Di Maio’s side, in the midst of an extremely demanding run of fixtures, are taking far less than they deserve – especially last week against Tre Penne, after an excellent display previously against La Fiorita. Their next two games are against Tre Fiori and Virtus, and the chance to influence the title race will certainly be a major source of motivation, despite the significant suspensions of Canarezza, Della Balda and Gasperoni. At the same time in Montecchio, Cailungo need points against Juvenes Dogana if they are to harbour hopes of closing the gap in the table on the teams above them and possibly re-enter the postseason race. It is a very tough target given the six-point deficit and two further teams in between. However, with almost the entire second half of the season still to play, the Rossoverdi still have room to get back on track. Finally, Domagnano-Fiorentino will be played on the synthetic pitch in Domagnano (15:00). The Wolves are winless in five, in which they have picked up three draws and then two straight defeats in their last 180 minutes. They need to change course, not least because their cushion over eighth place has been significantly reduced: that position is currently occupied by their next opponents. It goes without saying that for Costantini’s Rossoblù, beating Domagnano is of vital importance: it would bring them back to within three points and give them the head-to-head advantage after the goalless draw in the reverse fixture.

Below is the full schedule for the 19th matchday of the 2025-26 Campionato Sammarinese, with every game broadcast live and free via Italian-language streaming on Titani.tv: