League: Virtus, comeback against Tre Fiori earns a night on top

The big match of the fourth round of the Campionato Sammarinese takes off in less than 200 seconds, thanks to Rea. The centre-back again plays the role of striker, once more on a Friday night and once more in Dogana. The similarities with last week’s clash with Domagnano do not end there, as on that occasion too – as now for Virtus – the celebration came from a Sami set piece, perfectly glanced into the corner with a precise header. Another dead ball situation and another defender restore parity on 33 minutes: Buonocunto swings in a corner to the far post, where former Virtus man De Lucia shakes off his marker thanks to a block and directs the ball perfectly towards the far stick to stamp his name on the 1-1 goal that sends the sides into the dressing rooms level. Lisanti opens the second half with a brilliant piece of skill, evading the double challenge of Sirri and Sami, but his effort from the edge is too central. At the other end, Prandelli releases Mengucci: the cross into the middle is inch-perfect for the run of Bernardi, who has to bow to a monumental reflex save from Guddo, who also survives the ensuing tap-in attempt, where the Tre Fiori forward probably uses his arm. Roughly in the same area of the pitch which, in the opposite box, leads to the unfortunate own goal by Nardi: Ciacci heads the fine delivery from Golinucci onto the underside of the bar. Before crossing the line, the ball hits Nardi’s shoulder – making him, formally, the last player to touch it. Having surrendered the lead, the reigning champions are floored two minutes later: a hypnotic Virtus move, with the Neroverdi hiding the ball from their opponents in midfield before threading a central channel for Gjoni. From 25 metres out, the striker unleashes a right-footed rocket that leaves Nardi rooted as it flies into the top corner and looks to have settled the contest. To be sure of the points, though, Virtus have to survive a heart-stopping finale, as Prandelli, on 89 minutes, turns home Guddo’s parry from Ben Kacem’s diagonal drive – the latter unstoppable in full flight. Muratori’s men only have to wait another minute, however, as there is no stoppage time at the end of a second half full of fireworks, and Virtus reclaim top spot – at least for one night – leapfrogging Tre Fiori, unbeaten in the league for almost seven months.

At the “Federico Crescentini” in Fiorentino, Libertas almost break the deadlock on 7 minutes through Socciarelli: picked out by a flick-on from Osayande, the midfielder rattles the crossbar with Venturini stranded. Shortly afterwards, the Granata carve out another double chance: Melandri’s surge ends with a right-footed effort straight at Venturini, who then breathes a sigh of relief as Osayande’s header flashes just wide. Despite spending half the first period camped in the opposition half, Libertas find themselves behind on 25 minutes, when Elia ends Faetano’s league goal drought – which had stretched to 294 minutes this season. It comes from a splendid counter-attack led by Tugliani, provider of the defence-splitting assist for the winger, who joined the Gialloblù halfway through last season. It is not the luckiest of first halves for Libertas, who strike the woodwork again through Greco – directly from a free kick – shortly before the half-hour mark. After the restart it is again the Borgo Maggiore club dictating the tempo, threatening with a long-range right-footed strike from Morelli – saved – and a run in behind from Melandri, who shoots wide when through on goal. The Granata are finally rewarded for their excellent display on 74 minutes, when Greco’s delivery from the left is turned in for the 1-1 equaliser by Cristiani, ghosting in behind everyone at the far post. Soon after, Libertas almost complete a sensational turnaround with a thunderbolt from Melandri – tipped away from the top corner by a superb Venturini. Faetano then waste the chance to regain the lead through Palma, released one-on-one with Foiera by a deft scoop pass from Golinucci. It is not the last opportunity for the Gialloblù, who on 89 minutes are close to landing a late sucker punch with Elia: having broken clear in an onside position, he has to concede defeat to Foiera’s sprawling block, once again decisive. On the ensuing tap-in, Mereu cannot steer the ball over the line, sealing the final draw.

The clash between Murata and Cosmos struggles to provide excitement in the opening stages, at least until Lisi decides to unleash a piledriver from 25 metres that forces a prodigious save from Olivieri – who then breathes easier on Cremonini’s subsequent driven cross-shot. As the minutes pass, Rossi’s side take control of proceedings, but Guidotti and Braschi are wasteful. In between, Cremonini fails to punish Olivieri from distance – the goalkeeper’s short clearance having gifted the Gialloverdi a chance. Murata’s response is entrusted to the ever-dangerous Hassler, who breaks down the left and squares to the near post where Capriotti cannot hit the target. If the first half ends goalless it is also down to Cremonini, who incredibly fires wide when clean through on Olivieri – squandering Guidotti’s successful press and Tonini’s splendid through ball. Before the interval there is also a header from Guidotti, too central to trouble the Murata keeper. The first chance of the second half also falls to Cosmos, with good work from Guidotti setting up Cremonini, whose left-footed effort is badly miscued. It takes a fine intervention from Olivieri to keep out Lisi’s volleyed attempt on 53 minutes. Long-range efforts are also Murata’s preferred route, but Scarcella’s accuracy lets him down on at least two occasions. Not so for Cremonini at the third time of asking: on 70 minutes the forward meets an Ulloa cross with a first-time left-footed strike to put Cosmos ahead. From then on, Murata commit bodies forward and leave space for their opponents’ counter-attacks: after an ineffective break led by Guidotti and Lisi, it is the Gialloverdi striker himself who finally puts the game to bed. A cunning touch, nipping in ahead of even his own team-mate Tomassini to beat Olivieri to the ball and clinch a second consecutive win for Cosmos.

Below is the partial schedule for Matchday 4 of the league, broadcast in full on Titani.tv – live, free-to-air with Italian commentary: