Spoiled were shared in Mantua as the Group A MD34 fixture between Atalanta U23s and the Serie C NOW leaders Mantova culminated in a 1-1 draw.
The Nerazzurri started brightly and threatened the hosts as early as 2 minutes into the game, with Cortinovis’ shot flying off target. 6 minutes in, Palestra nodded it down to Capone, whose powerful shot was deflected out for a corner by Festa. Mantova had their first go in the 15th minute when Galuppini saw his chance denied by Vismara with a timely on-rushing save. On 19 minutes it was Diao who eventually broke the deadlock: fed by Capone after a cunning break into the opposing box, Atalanta’s striker gave the visitors the lead with an ice-cold finish. With coach Modesto’s lads racking up chances, Diao had a close brush with the brace on 22 minutes, but his finish on Panada’s pass following a corner kick ended up wide. While Mantova’s retaliation came on 24 minutes through a De Maio header, which eventually ended up off target, the first half closed with Atalanta 0-1 up.
After the halftime break, Mantova got off to a boisterous footing forcing Vismara to perform an extraordinary save on Burrai’s drive on 48 minutes. The Nerazzurri gave tit for tat in the 54th with De Nipoti, whose shot after dribbling his way past Panizzi in the box flew off target. The hosts levelled the game on 56 minutes via Wieser’s ranged shot from the edge of the box. After two back-to-back saves from Vismara on Gluppini 63 and 70 minutes into the game respectively, it was recently subbed Jimenez who ignited Vlahović in the 80th minute, when the Serbian’s ranged drive was deflected out for a corner. 84 minutes on the stopwatch and another thunderous attempt from Vlahović, who saw his shot punched by Festa. Despite going inches away from breaking the stalemate on 91 minutes, the striker’s third attempt is albeit not the charm as Vlahović’s headed turn on a cross got denied by the crossbar. The hosts had the final chance of the game as Burrai’s free-kick attempt smacked the post.
MANTOVA 1-1 ATALANTA UNDER-23S
Scorers: Diao 19 (A), Wieser 55 (M)
Mantova: Festa, Redolfi, Mensah (Monachello 88), Burrai (C), Wieser (Trimboli 62), Fiori (Bombagi 71), Galuppini, Radaelli, Panizzi, Muroni (Bragantini 71), De Maio. Unused subs: Sonzogni, Celesia, Bani, Debenedetti, Brignani, Cavalli, Fedel, Napoli, Argint, Giacomelli. Coach: Davide Possanzini.
Atalanta U23: Vismara, Palestra, Mendicino (Gyabuaa 65), Bonfanti, Capone (C) (Jimenez 72), Ghislandi, Ceresoli, Diao (Vlahović 65), Bernasconi, Panada (Chiwisa 76), De Nipoti. Unused subs: Dajcar, Bertini, Muhameti, Tavanti, Masi, Regonesi, Cortinovis. Coach: Francesco Modesto.
Referee: Eugenio Scarpa from Collegno;
Assistant referees: Giulia Tempestilli from Roma 2 and Giovanni Pandolfo from Castelfranco Veneto;
Fourth official: Deborah Bianchi from Prato.
Notes: Bonfanti (A) and Fiori (M) booked.
