Titano Futsal Cup: La Fiorita still believe, stronger positions in the other ties

Futsal is still very much in the spotlight in the final week of November. Yesterday the 10th league matchday came to an end and this evening attention turns back to the Titano Futsal Cup. Only one of the four quarter-final ties remains truly in the balance ahead of the second 60 minutes (or more, should extra time and penalties be required) that will decide them. That is Murata v La Fiorita, a first leg decided in favour of the Bianconeri by former player Belloni, who scored deep into stoppage time after having earlier given Spada’s men the lead, cancelled out late on by Pellegrini. The 2-1 scoreline is far from a guarantee for Murata, but it does mean they can go through with two out of three results, while La Fiorita this evening have no option but to win: by a single goal to force extra time, or by more than one to knock out one of the tournament favourites. Kick-off is at 20:15 in Dogana, the same venue that later in the evening will host the derby between Folgore and Juvenes-Dogana, with Falciano taking the court holding a three-goal cushion after the 4-1 win over their red-white-and-blue “cousins” on 14 November. Juvenes-Dogana not only face a steep mountain to climb, they must also do without the suspended Bagnasco and Borasco. Two players are also banned by the Sports Judge in the Virtus camp: Biordi and Pascucci. However, Acquaviva’s task is of a very different nature to the one facing Juvenes-Dogana, given that the Michelotti Boys go into the second leg with Cosmos protecting – and possibly looking to add to – a 5-0 advantage. For his part, Muccioli must also deal with a forced absence: Cerquetti will be missing. They did not keep a clean sheet but Pennarossa also scored five, and now need to back that up against San Giovanni in the match that will round off the schedule at the Fiorentino venue.

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