Titano Cup: Tre Penne and Tre Fiori go through, Libertas win on penalties

In the last midweek fixture of October for San Marino’s football competitions, extra time was anything but a remote possibility in Libertas-Cailungo and Tre Fiori-Pennarossa. It is Fiorentino’s Gialloblù who initially look intent on avoiding that outcome, thanks to Tommaso Leòn Bernardi: the forward curls his left-footed effort around the wall, kissing the base of Tordella’s post from a very tight angle. Before the interval Tre Fiori have a second goal ruled out for offside against Mema, but they are able to celebrate a genuine 2-0 lead on 40 minutes. Benedettini scores, ice-cool in front of Tordella after a superb move along the ground, rounded off by Mema’s delicate final pass. Between the two goals Pennarossa almost conjure a spectacular equaliser: Pintore, coming out of a one-two, hits a first-time volley from 25 metres at waist height. His ferocious right-foot strike crashes unbelievably against the crossbar. In the second half Girolomoni’s side show their maturity in managing both a two-goal lead and their energy levels, limiting the threat posed by Pennarossa’s attacks. Not only that: on 85 minutes Mema wins and converts the penalty for 3-0, putting the seal on Tre Fiori’s win and their place in the quarter-finals.

Domagnano had dared to dream of a miraculous comeback from the 3-0 defeat in the first leg, breaking the deadlock on 13 minutes with an all-action run into the box by Sapucci, whose low drive from the edge of the area gives Avgul no chance. Berardi’s side hit back just before the half-hour mark, capitalising on Maggioli’s weak parry from Badalassi’s central right-footed attempt: Pieri is on hand to thank him, heading in with a diving finish. Before the break Tre Penne complete their own comeback on the night. This time the scorer is Badalassi: the Biancazzurri marksman finishes off a counter-attack, released in behind by Pastorelli. His change of direction leaves two defenders in his wake and his left-footed shot into the far corner leaves Maggioli rooted. Although the question of qualification is now effectively settled, Domagnano are determined not to exit the competition with two defeats. After the restart Ferraro is close to levelling with a header from a Fusco set piece, before Amati strikes on 61 minutes, again with a header. The cross to the far post from Nanni is inviting, and the midfielder’s thumping header is unerring – he shares a surname with the Giallorossi coach. Shortly beforehand Turchetta had clipped the bar, going close to a potential 3-1. Far from settling for a draw, Domagnano are inches away from 3-2 when Santi flashes a low effort just off target with a quarter of an hour remaining. The Giallorossi redeem themselves after a below-par first leg, but it is Tre Penne who go through.

At the “Ezio Conti” stadium in Dogana, the first half is evenly balanced and unsurprisingly ends goalless. It is not for lack of trying from the two Borgo Maggiore clubs, especially through Morelli and Lisi, both dangerous from distance. After the break Libertas seize control of proceedings and go close through Casotti, who is at the centre of a controversial incident on 52 minutes. The forward stretches a leg towards Gallinetta’s clearance on the edge of the box and the ball then falls to David Tomassini, who finds the empty net. After a few seconds, during which it looks as though he might allow the goal to stand, the referee awards Cailungo a free-kick for interference with the goalkeeper. Five minutes later it is brother Fabio Ramòn flirting with a goal, but his left-footed effort in a one-on-one with Gallinetta smacks against the crossbar. The Cailungo keeper then produces a stunning save to keep out Casotti’s diving header, though the continuation of the move is cut short for offside against David Tomassini on the initial header. Sarti’s men survive by the skin of their teeth again and, with their first foray forward of the second half, they take the lead, thanks to the dead-ball prowess of Michelucci, who scores directly from a free-kick on the hour mark. In the final half hour the roles are reversed: the chances now fall mainly to Cailungo, who are close to doubling their lead through Inzerauto and lack composure when Bua goes through on Manzaroli, who bails his side out. Then, right on 89 minutes, Fabio Ramòn Tomassini swings in the cross that Quarta meets with a diving header at the far post to make it 1-1, taking the derby into extra time. In the additional 30 minutes it is Libertas who push harder for the win, but Morelli sends the chance to go in front over the bar with the goal at his mercy on 95 minutes. In the second period of extra time it is Berardi who troubles Gallinetta, who produces a miraculous save from the midfielder’s goal-bound right-footed strike as he arrives on the edge of the box after an irresistible surge from Nicolini, who had burst forward from his own half, skipping past a series of opponents. The derby is ultimately decided on penalties: Hirsch misses the first for Cailungo, while Baiardi and Lazzari send the keepers the wrong way. Quarta’s spot-kick is also flawless, and Bua even has the audacity to chip his effort in to jolt the Rossoverdi into life. Libertas are still in front, though, and Salah makes no mistake to round off the third round of penalties. Inzerauto keeps Cailungo in touch, but Davide Nigro is equally ruthless. Unlike captain Iuzzolino, who fires over to the delight of Manzaroli and Libertas – who reach the quarter-finals.

Here is the partial schedule of the second legs in the Titano Cup Round of 16, all available free via live streaming on Titani.tv: