San Marino Talent Cup: Perugia and Sassuolo on top after the opening ninety minutes

The second edition of the San Marino Talent Cup kicked off this afternoon, marked by winning debuts for Perugia and Sassuolo – who move straight to the top of their respective groups, with Cesena and Bologna in the role of interested onlookers ahead of their first outings in under forty‑eight hours.

The Umbrians comfortably saw off Ascoli 3-0, breaking the deadlock on the hour with help from the Bianconeri backline, punished as they attempted an over-elaborate build-up from the back, to the delight of Minestrini. The forward, introduced after the break, would then bag his brace in the 90’+3, settling a pinball situation in the box created by Ragni’s low cross – himself released by a one-two with Ciani. It was Ciani again providing the assist for the temporary second, scored in the first minute of added time: captain Peruzzi on target, latching onto his team-mate’s pass to get his name on the scoresheet.

In the simultaneous clash between San Marino Academy and Sassuolo, played at the Acquaviva Stadium, it was the Neroverdi who claimed all three points. After a goalless first half, the Emilians struck twice in three minutes, both times from corners. On 47 minutes Di Chiara was in the right place at the right time to turn in a clearance that failed to fully relieve the Sammarinese defence, while Likaj – as the clock ticked to 50’ – reacted first to a loose ball to find the net with the tap-in that sealed the 2-0 scoreline. While Perugia will observe their rest day next Wednesday, Sassuolo will be back in action against Bologna.

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

The qualifying phase fixtures will be played over 90 minutes and, if level at full time, will go straight to a penalty shoot-out, with no extra time to be played. A shoot-out win will give the winning side two points and the losing side one. To determine the standings in the event of two or three teams finishing level on points, the criteria applied – in this order – will be: i) points gained in head-to-head matches; ii) goal difference in group matches; iii) greatest number of goals scored; iv) drawing of lots. The maximum number of substitutions allowed is seven, while suspensions for accumulation of yellow cards will be triggered after two bookings.