With Sassuolo winning 1-0 at the Curva Fiesole stadium of the “Rocco B. Commisso” Viola Park Sporting Centre in Bagno a Ripoli, Atalanta U19s’ path in the 2023-2024 Primavera 1 TIM “Trofeo Giacinto Facchetti” league’s Final Phase came to its end in Round 1.
First threatened the Nerazzurri on 4 minutes when Vavassori saw his attempt following Palestra’s encroachement charged down by the opposing defence. Sassuolo knuckled down and retaliated in between the 15th and the 16th minutes: first with Knezovic and Russo, whose chances got parried by Pardel; and then with Cinquegrano’s header and Knezovic’s shot flying off target. 25 minutes on the stopwatch and it was Guerini who negated the Neroverdi’s chances this time with a key undercut to deflect Russo’s shot on spin out for a corner. Sassuolo took the lead in the 34th minute as Russo found the winning touch on Knezovic’s cross from the left flank. Atalanta gave tit-for-tat 38 minutes in when Vlahovic’s volley got blocked by Theiner.
The second half opened up with Russo’s header hissing to the side. Then the Nerazzurri “sounded the charge twice” in close succession: first with Vlahović, who saw his attempt to capitalize on Vavassori’s run blocked by the opposing defence, and then with Riccio’s left-footed drive slightly flying off target. On 61 minutes, Pardel sprung into action to defuse Knezovic’s angled free-kick attempt. Vlahovic had another go in the 65th minute but finished high on Vavassori’s pass. 69 minutes in and another chance for Atalanta, through Cassa this time: upon cutting in and centre from the left side, the black-and-blue midfielder unleashed a powerful curler forcing Theiner to bend it behind for a corner. Despite the Nerazzurri forcing and striving for the equaliser with unwavering tenacity until the end, Sassuolo managed to secure their lead and to raise the black-and-blue siege, thus making it to the semi-final.
ATALANTA 0-1 SASSUOLO
Scorer: Russo 34 (S)
Atalanta: Pardel, Comi, Mendicino (Cassa 46), Riccio (Bonanomi 62), Vlahović, Vavassori, Guerini (Orlando 84), Tornaghi, Regonesi (Muhameti 62), Colombo, Palestra. Unused subs: Torriani, Obric, Ghezzi, Armstrong, Fiogbe, Tavanti, Martinelli. Coach: Giovanni Bosi.
Sassuolo: Theiner, Cinquegrano, Loeffen (Di Bitonto 84), Kumi (Ravaioli 84), Russo, Leone, Knezovic (Parlato 81), Lopes, Bruno (Minta 89), Falasca, Corradini. Unused subs: Scacchetti, Baldari, Mussini, Rovatti, Beconcini, Pigati, Neophytou. Coach: Emiliano Bigica.
Referee: Domenico Mirabella from Naples; Assistant referees: Diego Peloso from Nichelino and Nicola Di Meo from Nichelino; Fourth Official Dario Di Francesco from Ostia Lido.
Notes: Loeffen (S), Riccio (A), Leone (S) booked.
Photo credits LaPresse – reproduction forbidden, all rights reserved
