Libertas and Folgore share the points from the spot, Virtus surge in race for fourth place

Objective of drawing level missed for La Fiorita, who failed to take advantage of Tre Penne’s rest day to pull alongside them at the top of the table – with the chance to move ahead on head-to-head results in favour of the San Marino vice-champions. In Acquaviva, where the Gialloblù lifted the most recent San Marino Super Cup, Oscar Lasagni’s men could do no better than a 0-0 draw with Fiorentino. Melandri’s side once again proved solid and competitive, stretching to three their unbeaten run, launched by victory over Libertas and then backed up by two valuable draws against Virtus and La Fiorita. A clear signal from the Rossoblù also in view of the post-season, as they currently sit ninth in the table with a ten-point cushion over thirteenth place. To qualify directly for the quarter-finals, however, you need to finish in the top four. This is now the openly declared target of Virtus who, last night in Domagnano, returned to a precious victory – and did so from behind after a goalless first half. Murata, in fact, despite serious selection problems at the moment, managed to break the deadlock through Bruma from a corner situation. Fall’s header to the far post was decisive, prolonging the trajectory where the Moldovan striker adjusted perfectly to beat Passaniti from close range. Virtus had barely had time to process going behind when they were already back in it: just seven minutes were enough for Bizzotto’s team to put everything back in the balance. Credit to a splendid ball from Giacomoni, who picked out Tadzhybayev’s run between the opposition full-back and centre-half. The Ukrainian started from an onside position and kept his cool to slot past Castelgrande, racing out in desperation. The momentum was clearly with Virtus, who completed the comeback 15 minutes from time. A move with pure Sammarinese DNA, starting on the left with Jacopo Raschi, who did well to cut inside, beat two men and feed Golinucci in the middle. His right-footed shot was blocked by Vitaioli and dropped kindly for Battistini, who sprang past his direct marker, drove into the box and delivered to the far post a simply perfect ball for the arriving Raiola who – having beaten Bertozzi for pace – only had to tap into the net. The Neroverdi thus consolidate fourth place, also closing in on Tre Fiori – now just a point ahead, with the same number of matches played. It is still too early to know whether Libertas and Folgore, who met last night in Montecchio, have taken themselves out of the race for fourth after a thrilling 2-2 draw in the most eagerly awaited early fixture. Cardini’s team – with the suspended coach replaced on the bench by Nicolini – scored first and last. The decisive goal came as late as the third minute of added time, from the penalty spot. But let’s go in order, starting with the Fraternali header that broke the deadlock on 35 minutes. He timed his leap to perfection to nod home the delivery from Lorenzo Gasperoni’s corner, giving the Granata the lead – but only for three minutes. That was all Folgore needed to launch a lightning counter-attack starting from a ball won on their own defensive third. The break saw Fedeli reach the by-line and pick out a perfect cross for the run of Dormi, whose 70‑metre sprint was rewarded with the goal that made it 1-1. After the restart, the Falciano strike partnership combined again – this time with roles reversed. On this occasion, Dormi shaped a cross from the inside-right channel for Fedeli, who burst in behind Moretti and beat Zavoli from point-blank range with a left-footer that gave the keeper no chance. Omar Lepri’s side could almost taste victory, and once again made no substitutions all evening. Yet on the very last ball of the match, Libertas found a way back. A long pass was aimed at Olcese, who flicked it on with his head towards Flores, making a well-timed run around him. He drove straight through the middle and got to the ball before Gueye, who clattered into the Uruguayan-born forward as he came out. Referee Mei pointed to the spot, allowing Olcese, with a powerful central right-footed strike, to snatch the equaliser and reach 10 league goals for the season. The Italo-Argentinian becomes the fifth player in our league to hit double figures this term, drawing level with Gjurchinoski and Mema, who will take to the pitch this evening. Here is the partial picture from the rescheduled fixtures from Matchday 15 of the league:

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LIBERTAS Zavoli, Moretti, Fraternali, Barretta, Nigretti (from 76' Flores), Ruiz, Patregnani (from 74' A. Gasperoni), L. Gasperoni, Cuomo, Aruci (from 46' Morelli), Olcese Substitutes: Gentilini, Ndao, Dolente, Pesaresi Head coach: Enrico Nicolini (Cardini suspended)   FOLGORE Gueye, Sabbadini, Golinucci, Spighi, Hirsch, Giardi, Aluigi, Pasini, Dormi, Docente, Fedeli Substitutes: Mignani, Francioni, Sottile, Cerquetti, Nucci, Garci, Astolfi Head coach: Omar Lepri   Referee: Andrea Mei Assistant referees: Salvatore Tuttifrutti and Alfonso Gallo Fourth official: Raffaele Delvecchio Scorers: 35' Fraternali, 38' Dormi, 63' Fedeli, 90'+3' pen. Olcese Booked: Barretta, Golinucci, Gueye  

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LA FIORITA Vivan, Zafferani, Sanchez, Brighi, Grandoni, Pancotti, Errico, Amati (from 81' Gregori), Zulli, Rinaldi, Guidi (from 66' Loiodice) Substitutes: Venturini, Santi, Di Maio, Bonifazi, Hoxha Head coach: Oscar Lasagni   FIORENTINO Bianchi, D'addario (from 66' Molinari), Baizan, Filippi, Arrigoni, Colagiovanni, Mastrota (from 66' Calzolari), Becchimanzi (from 51' Bottoni), Castellazzi, Abouzziane (from 84' Perlaza), Ben Kacem Substitutes: Michelotti, Zouhri Head coach: Enrico Malandri   Referee: Marco Avoni Assistant referees: Laura Cordani and Laurentiu Ilie Fourth official: Luca Tura Booked: Mastrota, Sanchez, Perlaza, Bottoni  

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MURATA Castelgrande, Bertozzi, Genghini, Vitaioli (from 86' Carlini), Ricci, Fall, Cangini, Toccaceli, Bruma (from 86' Gori), Babboni, Bernardi Substitutes: Benedettini, Lelli, Comuniello Head coach: Achille Fabbri   VIRTUS Passaniti, Battistini, Nodari, Giacomoni, Gori, Raiola (from 88' Alvarez), Ciacci, Golinucci, Raschi (from 80' Castiglioni), Tadzhybayev, Apezteguia Substitutes: Guerra, Focaccia, Magri Head coach: Luigi Bizzotto   Referee: Mattia Andruccioli Assistant referees: Gianmarco Ercolani and Emiliano Albani Fourth official: Elison Luci Scorers: 61' Bruma, 68' Raiola, 75' Tadzhybayev Booked: Nodari

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