With the friendly hosted at the Centro Bortolotti in Zingonia resulting in the 5-1 victory over the Folgore Caratese, a team currently competing in Serie D, this fixtures served the purpose of giving precious playing time to all those players who either did not take the pitch or contributed a token presence in the Wednesday match against Spezia.
Pašalić, one of our comeback heroes and the scorer of the equaliser at the Picco stadium, struck up the scoreboard with a brace (scoring 14 and 21 minutes into the match respectively). Before the halftime whistle, Gualdi’s goal for the away side managed to reduce Atalanta’s lead. In the second half (shortened to 35 minutes), thanks to Lookman’s brace, together with Éderson scoring in between, Atalanta quelled any pockets of resistance from the Folgore Caratese, hence finally putting the result on ice.
Tomorrow, Friday the 6th of January, practice and training will resume at the Centro Bortolotti in Zingonia with an afternoon session to be held behind closed doors.
A MEDICAL UPDATE ON ZAPATA: According to the results of the medical report, the specialist medical examinations undergone by Duván Zapata this morning have found a strong contusion to the front of his left knee. On the aforementioned premises, the physical condition of the Cafetero striker will be kept under periodical observation on a daily basis.
ATALANTA 5-1 FOLGORE CARATESE
Scorers: Pašalić 14, 21 (A), Gualdi 41 (FC), Lookman 53 (A), Éderson 56 (A), Lookman 77 (A).
Atalanta: Rossi, Hateboer, Demiral (Mæhle 46), Okoli, Soppy (Zappacosta 46), Djimsiti, Malinovskyi, Zortea (Soppy 59), Pašalić (Éderson 46), Vorlický (Lookman 46), Boga. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Folgore Caratese: Aiello, Besana, Corna, Gualdi, Ambrosini, Bernacchi, Liberati, Valsecchi, Hyka, Gulinatti, Corbo. During the course of the match, the following players have been subbed in: Negri, Beye, Arcidiacono, Bossi, Calacoci, Terraneo, Paltrinieri, Pirovano, Sala, Corbetta, Elli, Grispello. Coach: Giuliano Melosi.
Referee: Eugenio Scarpa from Collegno (assisting referees Ilario Montanelli from Lecco & Salvatore Nicosia from Saronno).
