Strong start to the league for Faetano and Tre Penne

The first goal of the 2025-26 season goes to Faetano and arrives inside the opening 300 seconds of the Campionato Sammarinese. Morgante is the man on target, expertly turning in captain Zonzini’s corner with his left foot to hand an early setback to Camillini’s Murata – the coach having been confirmed on the bench. In the second half another dead ball situation smiles on the Yellow and Blues, led by debutant Spartera: this time Zonzini’s right-footed delivery picks out the run of Kokeri, who marks his debut by making it 2-0 on 52 minutes. Murata’s reaction is minimal and Faetano are able to celebrate the first three points of their league campaign.

It takes Tre Penne half a half to break the deadlock. The side has been heavily revamped, but once again it is Badalassi – back to make the City dream after a year with Cosmos, from whom other prized assets have arrived – who provides the breakthrough. Much of the credit for the goal goes to Peluso, bursting down the flank before beating the double team and picking out the centre forward, clinical with his finish at the near post. The second goal, scored by Berardi, is something completely new in the script: the San Marino forward skips past his marker with ease before enjoying a sizeable slice of luck in the ricochet that wrong-foots Benedettini on 37 minutes. After the break the tempo drops and the 2-0 scoreline from the first half is confirmed at the final whistle.

There are no goals at the Acquaviva Stadium, where many Juvenes-Dogana players face San Giovanni as former club men. Clear-cut chances can be counted on the fingers of one hand, with almost all of them falling to the Serravalle club. Riccardo Boldrini’s men are wasteful in front of goal, meaning that the only 0-0 of the evening is a fair reflection of proceedings.

The season kicks off at the Ezio Conti Stadium in Dogana also for San Marino Academy, in what is Roberto Di Maio’s debut in the dugout. The match is unlocked a few minutes before the interval thanks to an unstoppable run by Osayande – who hit the headlines last year, in Granata until January, for scoring just 5 seconds after kick-off. This time eight minutes pass in the second half before the Academy can celebrate their first joy of the campaign. The equaliser arrives in the 53rd minute from a corner: Della Balda swings the ball into the middle for Mattia Ciacci, who beats Manzaroli with a towering header. The balance remains until the final whistle, with Di Maio’s youngsters ultimately the more disappointed not to have taken all three points.

The schedule of early fixtures will be completed tomorrow afternoon with Cosmos-Tre Fiori, Folgore-Cailungo and Pennarossa-Domagnano (the latter will be broadcast live on Titani.tv and also on FIFA+). Last but by no means least, Virtus-La Fiorita – a clash that in recent seasons has had a decisive impact on the title race – is set for Sunday at the Ezio Conti Stadium in Dogana, with kick-off at 17:30.