MD36 of the 2023-2024 Serie C NOW (Group A) saw the home side impose themselves 2-0 at the Euganeo stadium in Padua thanks to two first-half goals.
On top of the game and off to a pushy start throughout the opening quarter, Atalanta U23s had the first chances of the match on minutes 4 and 9 respectively: first with Palestra who, after stepping into the box and adjusting the ball, saw his left-footed shot end up off target, and then with Vlahović, whose ranged attempt from outside of the box bounced off the post. After taking the lead on 18 minutes with a ferocious ranged shot from the offensive third by Cretella, the hosts doubled it in the 24th through Fusi who, upon retrieving the ball and dribbling his way to the box, edged past Vismara one-on-one.
Despite the plentiful chances created throughout the second half, Atalanta U23s couldn’t capitalize on any of them and not for lack of trying: on 63 minutes, although a shortly subbed in Muhameti managed to force Donnarumma’s parry, Palestra only hit the post on the rebound. Not 60 seconds had passed and Atalanta had yet another chance, with Donnarumma performing a miraculous save on De Nipoti’s towering header from a Ghislandi cross. In the 73rd minute, it was once again De Nipoti who threatened the home side with a solo play but couldn’t skirt the opposing keeper.
PADOVA 2-0 ATALANTA UNDER-23S
Scorer(s): Cretella 18 (P), Fusi 24 (P).
Padova: Donnarumma (C), Delli Carri, Crisetig, Fusi (Perrotta 82), Valente (Palombi 73), Capelli (Tordini 66), Bortolussi (Zamparo 73), Kirwan, Favale, Cretella (Dezi 65), Faedo. Unused subs: Rossi, Zanellati, Radrezza, Villa, Bianchi. Coach: Massimo Oddo.
Atalanta U23s: Vismara, Palestra, Berto, Gyabuaa (Muhameti 60), Capone (C) (Diao 46), Ghislandi (Bernasconi 69), Vlahović, Comi, Jimenez (De Nipoti 46), Ceresoli, Panada (Mendicino 60). Unused subs: Dajcar, Avogadri, Cisse, Solcia, Regonesi, Chiwisa. Coach: Francesco Modesto.
Referee: Giuseppe Rispoli from Locri;
Assistant referees: Andrea Romagnoli from Albano Laziale and Tommaso Mambelli from Cesena;
Fourth official: Giovanni Antonini from Rimini.
Notes: Panada (A) and Vlahović (A) booked.
