San Marino Talent Cup: Perugia back in the final, Academy see off Bologna

After a record-breaking second matchday, with thirteen goals scored across the two fixtures in Acquaviva and Dogana, in this afternoon’s games Perugia and San Marino Academy claimed narrow wins and kept clean sheets. At the “Ezio Conti” Stadium it was effectively a play-off for a place in the final: both Cesena and Perugia had beaten Ascoli, and in this last Group A qualifying fixture they were aiming to earn the right to challenge Sassuolo for the trophy on Monday evening. That honour falls to the Umbrians, back in the final after also reaching the showpiece last year. Once again, they will face an Emilian side: the Biancorossi will be hoping that against Sassuolo (Monday in Dogana, 19:00) the outcome will be different to twelve months ago. In the clash with Cesena, the prospect of a penalty shoot-out is averted by a spot-kick, won and converted by Rikardo Sheji on 87 minutes.

In the simultaneous match played at the Acquaviva Stadium, Dario Vanni’s San Marino Academy celebrated a prestigious victory over Bologna. After a goalless first half, just as in the opener against Sassuolo, the Biancazzurrini found the decisive moment midway through the second half. It came in the 68th minute, when a Bevilacqua own goal finally breached the Rossoblù rearguard. The Academy defended their lead through to the final whistle, celebrating the win, the clean sheet and qualification for the third-place final. On Monday, again in Acquaviva, the Biancazzurrini will face Cesena from 17:45. At the same time in Montecchio, Bologna and Ascoli will meet in the match that will decide fifth and sixth place in the second edition of the San Marino Talent Cup.

The finals are scheduled for Monday 24 August and will follow the programme below, which also involves the Montecchio ground.

Matches in the qualifying phase will be played over 90 minutes. If the scores are level at full time, a penalty shoot-out will take place, with no extra time played. A win on penalties will earn two points for the winning team and one for the losing team. To determine the standings if two or three teams finish level on points, the following criteria will be applied, in order: i) points obtained in head-to-head games; ii) goal difference in group matches; iii) highest number of goals scored; iv) drawing of lots. The maximum number of substitutions allowed is seven, while suspensions for accumulation of bookings will be triggered after two yellow cards.