Atalanta’s Under-23 side returned to winning ways on Matchday 26 of Group A of the 2023-2024 Serie C NOW, as the Nerazzurri edged past AlbinoLeffe 1-0 at the AlbinoLeffe Stadium thanks to Diao’s winner.
As the Nerazzurri approached the first half with an offensive stance ever since the opening minutes, Ceresoli played on finding Capone in the box, whose shot ended up off target. 14 minutes in and it was Jimenez who puzzled Marietta as his tricky cross-shot from the heart of the box almost got beyond the opposing keeper. The main offensive high of the game came on 29 minutes, once again through Jimenez who, despite finishing Ceresoli’s assist with a great header, saw his goal chance denied by another key save from Marietta.
Along the same line of the first half, the second fraction of the game opened up with yet another Capone chance: after being fed by a Bonfanti through ball, the black-and-blue striker couldn’t get past Marietta in the following mano-a-mano. In the 61st minute Ceresoli almost snatched the centre-page as he tried to sew up the deflection on a Bonfanti shot with a stunning bicycle kick. Eventually, it was Siren Diao who broke the deadlock on 74 minutes: after powering through his marker, Atalanta’s number 29 bursted into the box and slotted the ball in. As the final whistle echoed through the AlbinoLeffe stadium, the Nerazzurri came out on top of the “Bergamasco Derby” clinching three key points.
AlbinoLeffe 0-1 ATALANTA UNDER-23s
Scorers: Diao (A) 73.
AlbinoLeffe: Marietta, Zanini (Arrighini 77), Doumbia (Agostinelli 59, Allieri 84), Brentan, Piccoli, Zoma, Milesi, Saltarelli (Toccafondi 59, Muzio 77), Borghini (C), Gatti, Longo. Unused bench: Pratelli, Moleri, Angeloni, Baroni, Allieri, Ercolani. Coach: Giovanni Lopez.
Atalanta U23: Vismara, Palestra, Berto, Mendicino (Gyabuaa 90), Bonfanti, Capone (C) (Vlahović 84), Varnier, Jimenez, Ceresoli (Bernasconi 90), Diao (Ghislandi 84), Panada (De Nipoti 92). Unused bench: Bertini, Avogadri, Muhameti, Gyabuaa, Ghislandi, Vlahovic, Obric, Armstrong, Regonesi, Bernasconi, Falleni, De Nipoti. Coach: Francesco Modesto.
Referee: Andrea Zoppi from Florence.
Assistant referees: Cristian Robilotta from Sala Consilina and Filippo Pignatelli from Viareggio.
Fourth official: Cosimo Papi from Prato.
Notes: Varnier (A) and Bonfanti (A) booked.
