Honours even between Legnago Salus and Atalanta U23s on Matchday 28 of the 2023-2024 Serie C NOW (Group A) as the hosts’ early lead at the Mario Sandrini stadium in Legnago (Verona) was cancelled out by Vanja Vlahović’s first-ever goal as a professional. With this result, the Nerazzurri snatched up a good point at a difficult ground after trailing until the 84th minute.
After the hosts had taken the lead early on courtesy of Viero, who capitalised on Vismara’s save from Svidercoschi, the Nerazzurri immediately tried to hit back through Ceresoli, whose 11th-minute effort from Diao’s pass was parried by Fortin. Diao then tried to tap in the rebound, but his effort was weak. Vismara was tested by Rocco in the 16th minute, while Jimenez almost equalised for the U-23s in the 32nd minute when his curler smacked against the post. Modesto’s men went close again on 41 minutes, but Capone failed to capitalise on Diao’s pass.
In the second half, the Nerazzurri pushed hard in search of an equaliser that never seemed to come. After the hosts had almost doubled their lead on 69 minutes, but Vismara was alert to the danger, Vlahović scored his first-ever goal as a pro in the 84th minute, slotting home from Palestra’s cross. Jimenez came close to giving Atalanta the lead shortly afterwards, but his shot was deflected for a corner and Vismara was again called into action to deny the home side their last chance.
LEGNAGO 1-1 ATALANTA UNDER-23s
Scorers: Viero 5 (L), Vlahović 84 (A).
Legnago: Fortin, Sbampato (Zanandrea 67), Viero (Casarotti 75), Van Ransbeeck, Svidercoschi (Buric 85), Rocco (C) (Giani 66), Zanetti, Motoc (Baradji 46), Boci, Noce, Martic. Unused bench: Businarolo, Tosi, Hadaji, Mazzali, Baradji, Travaglini, Sambou, Ruggeri, Muteba, Franzolini, Mbakogu. Coach: Massimo Donati.
Atalanta U23: Vismara, Palestra, Berto, Bonfanti (Bernasconi 61), Gyabuaa, Capone (C) (Vlahovic 74), Varnier, Jimenez (Ghislandi 93), Ceresoli, Diao (De Nipoti 74), Panada (Muhameti 61). Unused bench: Dajcar, Bertini, Del Lungo, Mendicino, Da Riva, Cortinovis. Coach: Francesco Modesto.
Referee: Mauro Gangi from Enna.
Assistant referees: Simone Pistarelli from Fermo and Roberto Meraviglia from Pistoia.
Fourth official: Ibrahim Rashed from Imola.
Notes: Modesto (A) sent off; Motoc (L), Martic (L), Berto (A), Viero (L), Bonfanti (A), Baradji (L), Gyabuaa (A) booked.
