Titano Futsal Cup: Murata win at the death as three Semi-final spots all but sealed

Last night saw the first legs of the 2024-25 Titano Futsal Cup quarter-finals. Pre-match expectations were confirmed, with Folgore, Pennarossa, Virtus and Murata all starting as favourites on paper. The Bianconeri had to work hard for their victory over La Fiorita, who were fully in the game right up to the final whistle and ready to battle the Città club for qualification in two weeks’ time – when the return legs are scheduled. Spada’s side extended their winning run this season, the most recent of which was their top-of-the-table league victory over Virtus. Yesterday evening in Fiorentino they faced La Fiorita. Headlining the night was Fabio Belloni, facing his former club and scoring the opener on 11 minutes. In the second half the Gialloblù found the equaliser through Pellegrini, before Belloni once again stepped up to seal the final 2-1. It was a cruel outcome for Fabio Traviglia’s team, who missed a 10-metre free-kick for a potential lead just a minute before Belloni’s brace. The result means the Bianconeri will reach the semi-finals even with a draw on 28 November. On that date, the second legs of the quarter-finals for Folgore, Pennarossa and Virtus will likely be little more than a formality. The Neroverdi swept aside Cosmos, going 3-0 up by half-time thanks to strikes from Bernardi and Biordi, either side of an own goal from Marco Ceccaroli. After the break Biordi was on target again, before Pasqualini’s finish completed a five-goal haul for Michelotti’s men. Pennarossa also hit five, against San Giovanni. Franchino’s Rossoneri grabbed a consolation goal at the death through Severi, when the Chiesanuova side had already all but wrapped up the win and qualification. It was a night to remember for Danny Gasperoni, who netted a hat-trick. A Volpinari own goal and a strike from Toccaceli rounded off the 5-1 scoreline. The Serravalle derby between Folgore and Juvenes-Dogana completed the card. The Giallorossoneri reaped the rewards of an excellent first half, with Zonzini’s men racing into a 3-0 lead thanks to Ercolani and a Bacciocchi brace. After the restart Bagnasco reduced the deficit, before Ercolani’s second effectively settled the first leg. In the closing stages Bagnasco received two yellow cards within a few seconds and was sent off, ruling him out of the return fixture in two weeks’ time. This is the picture after the 2024-25 Titano Futsal Cup quarter-final first legs.

---