San Marino Academy Under 22 moved on the table on matchday two of the Sammarinese Championship. After an opening-day defeat to Fiorentino, the blue-and-whites picked up a point against La Fiorita in a tightly contested match that finished 1-1, played without any hint of reverential fear.
The start of the match belonged entirely to the Academy. Nicola Cancelli’s side won back possession high up the pitch and, in the opening minutes, forced Matteo Zavoli into action with efforts from Grandoni and Canarezza. The breakthrough came in the 4th minute, stemming from a corner kick born out of one of those very chances: Diego Zavoli got on the end of the ball inside the box and fired it into the net to make it 1-0.
La Fiorita needed little time to level the score. In the 13th minute, Errico found Cicarelli, who struck first-time and beat Amici to bring the match back to 1-1.
The equalizer did nothing to change the Academy’s approach, as they continued to look for space and threatened again through Nicola Molinari. On the other side, La Fiorita grew into the game as the minutes passed, but were unable to complete the comeback.
In the second half, both sides kept pushing for a winner, though with less room to maneuver. Canarezza again tested Matteo Zavoli with a long-range effort, while at the other end Errico came close with an attempt that sailed over the crossbar. Cicarelli also tried his luck from a set piece.
In the closing stages, the Academy kept things tidy and conceded little, even finding a few opportunities to break forward. Grandoni managed to deliver a dangerous ball into the box, while Valentini’s header narrowly failed to catch out the goalkeeper.
After four minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle blew. For the Under 22 side, it was the first point of the season, earned against a La Fiorita team that had to settle for a draw.
La Fiorita-San Marino Academy 1-1
Goals: 4′ Diego Zavoli, 13′ Cicarelli.
