Atalanta U23s’ run in the Coppa Italia Serie C came to its abrupt end as hosting side Lumezzane claimed a 6-3 win on penalty in the first qualifying round at the “Tullio Saleri” stadium (after regulation time ended in a 1-1 draw and a 2-2 tie featured the scoreboard at the end of extra time).

After feeling each other in the opening minutes, Lumezzane struck first on 17 minutes with Basso Ricci who, after cutting from the right side to the centre, loosened a left-footed shot which hit the roof of the goal after hitting the wide post. Atalanta’s retort was not long in coming: two minutes later, Capone tested Lumezzane’s goalie with a ranged shot from outside the box. On 29 minutes, Gelmi flew to tip Moscat’s long shot out. 31 minutes in Bernasconi fed Capone’s header with a cross from the right, eventually blocked by Filigheddu. On 36 minutes, Atalanta created their best chance of the first half: Masi’s superb long pass set Capone off, who dashed towards Filigheddu’s goal. Unfortunately, Capone’s last pass for Italeng went too wide and the chance did not pan out as planned.

The first chances of the second half saw Roaldsøy test the goalkeeper from the edge of the area on 57 minutes and Italeng’s header set up by Mendicino turned around the post. On the resulting corner taken by Capone, Masi nodded off target on 60 minutes. The Nerazzurri almost levelled the score when Mendicino’s 70th-minute scorcher forced a corner, which then led to Italeng’s equaliser. The final minutes of regulation time saw Atalanta Under-23s push hard and produce scoring threats through Sidibe, whose 76th-minute effort forced a save out of Filigheddu, and Italeng, who was denied by the on-rushing Lumezzane shot-stopper on 87 minutes.

After the hosting side restored their lead inside the first three minutes of extra time through Righetti, Modesto’s lads were back on the front foot: Sidibe set up Pagani’s 101st-minute header and Rosa’s shot from the edge of the box was saved, while Gelmi muted Ilari’s first-touch effort with ease in the 105th minute. When the first period of injury time was almost up, Sidibe whipped in a cross that met Falleni’s header, which brought our Under-23s level. Lumezzane threatened 5 minutes into the second period of extra time, with a Cannavò overhead kick finishing just wide. The final chance of the game was created by Gyabuaa, whose 119th-minute strike from the edge of the box was tipped behind for a corner. With no extra time left, the game went to the penalty shootout, which saw Lumezzane progress to the next round after converting 4 spot-kicks against 1.

LUMEZZANE 6-3 ATALANTA U23 after penalty shootout
(1-1 at full time; 2-2 after extra time).

Scorers: Basso Ricci 17 (L), Italeng 70 (A), Righetti 93 (L), Falleni 105 (A).
Penalty shootout: Taugourdeau (L) goal, Roaldsøy (A) crossbar, Malotti (L) goal, Ceresoli (A) saved, Capelli (L) goal, Falleni (A) goal, Cannavò (L) goal.

Lumezzane: Filigheddu, Pisano (Dalmazzi 46), Taugourdeau, Troiani (Cannavò 74), Moscati (Ilari 62), Capelli, Basso Ricci (Righetti 91), Parodi, Poledri, Regazzetti (Deratti 88), Kolaj (Malotti 62).
Unused bench: Greco, Galeotti, Pogliano, Gerbi, Filippini, Senatore, Spini.
Coach: Arnaldo Franzini.

Atalanta Under 23: Gelmi, Del Lungo, Berto, Mendicino (Rosa 96), Italeng (Palestra 96), Capone (Gyabuaa 96), Sidibe, Roaldsøy, Masi (Falleni 62), Regonesi (Pagani 79), Bernasconi (Ceresoli 71).
Unused bench: Avogadri, Vismara, Solcia, Di Serio, De Nipoti, Awua, Mallamo.
Coach: Francesco Modesto.

Referee: Alessandro Silvestri from Roma 1.
Assistant referees: Marco Roncari from Vicenza and Carlo De Luca from Merano.
Fourth official: Luka Meta from Vicenza.

Notes: Mendicino (A), Pagani (A), Capelli (L), Gyabuaa (A) and Righetti (L) booked.