They won their first Sammarinese national title in 2006, and repeated as champions the next two years. As
UEFA decided to include Sammarinese champions in the first preliminary round of the
UEFA Champions League starting from the
2007–08 season, Murata were the first Sanmarinese team to take part in the main European competition (see below for details). In order to reinforce the team, in July 2007 the club signed 41-year-old former
Brazilian star and
1994 FIFA World Cup champion
Aldair, gaining some headlines in the Italian sports news because of the move.[1] Another former
Serie A star, 43-year-old
strikerMassimo Agostini, played for Murata from 2005 to 2008. In July 2008, Murata announced that they were hoping to sign former Brazil international
Romário so he could play in the club's upcoming
UEFA Champions League fixtures.[2] They also approached the former
Formula One champion
Michael Schumacher, but both declined Murata's offer.[3]
On July 17, 2007, Murata became the first Sanmarinese team to play in a
UEFA Champions League fixture, contesting a
First Qualifying Round tie against
Tampere United from
Finland. The home game of the two-legged tie was played at
San Marino Calcio's
Olimpico Stadium and resulted in a 2–1 win for Tampere. Murata lost the away leg 2–0 and were eliminated.