National Team: Modena win charity friendly

Solidarity was first and foremost at the heart of the day that Modena FC and the San Marino National Team treated themselves to on Saturday at the “Sandro Pertini” sports ground in Lotta di Fanano (Modena). But there was naturally plenty of footballing content as well. Modena are gearing up for their debuts in the Coppa Italia and Serie B, while the Titani have their sights set on the match on 6 September against Bosnia and Herzegovina. With that in mind, head coach Cevoli, facing his former club, ran the rule over all the players he had called up and took note of every detail of a match watched from the stands by over 1,200 supporters, including a delegation from the Brigata Mai 1 Gioia. Before kick-off there was an exchange of gifts: Modena FC’s Sporting CEO, Matteo Rivetti, presented a yellow-and-blue shirt, signed by all the players, to Dr Nicola Ranieri, head of Paediatrics at the ISS of the Republic of San Marino. In turn, a San Marino National Team shirt, also bearing all the players’ signatures, was presented by FSGC President Marco Tura to Prof. Lorenzo Iughetti, head of Paediatrics at the Policlinico di Modena.

The Canarini took the lead on the half-hour mark: a low cross from the left by Cotali found Gliozzi, who turned it past Amici from the middle of the box. Shortly afterwards, another Cotali cross struck Cevoli’s arm and the penalty was entrusted to Gliozzi, who completed his brace by sending Amici the wrong way. In the second half, after a raft of substitutions, the San Marino National Team pulled one back in style: Mularoni lifted a high, deep ball for Gabriel Capicchioni, who thrashed a first-time finish past Maran. Within a few minutes, Pedro Mendes, released down the flank, squared into the middle for Defrel, who had no trouble tapping into an empty net. The 4-1 scoreline – the final result – was sealed by Pedro Mendes himself just a few minutes from the final whistle: this time the cross came from the right, delivered by Santoro. Positive signs for Roberto Cevoli, but above all valuable funds for paediatric projects at the Modena University Hospital Trust and the Social Security Institute of the Republic of San Marino (ISS), the true focus of this friendly in Emilia.