As the home match against Juventus, disputed at the Centro Bortolotti in Zingonia as part of Matchday 21 of the 2022-23 “Trofeo Giacinto Facchetti” Primavera 1 TIM league, eventually culminated in a 1-1 draw, the Black-and-blues have undoubtedly challenged the current second force in the league head-on: additionally, taking the lead in the first half of the match and creating many chances altogether is nothing short of the testament in favour of the overall performance of the Primavera, capable of standing their ground and imposing their pace for the majority of the match, with Juventus’ equaliser coming in the last 15 minutes.
As proof of the great start of the Primavera, Vlahović was in with the first chance of the match on 3 minutes as he set up Muhameti who loosened two shots in quick succession: whereas the first got deflected by a defender, the second was ultimately saved by the opposing goalkeeper. Shortly after, Palestra, after swinging towards the centre, curled a left-footed shot on target that ended up inches away. As the match forged ahead, Atalanta had another brush with the goal, this time with Regonesi, trying his hand at featuring the scoresheet with two headers: respectfully, on 16 minutes (yet, not properly locked on target) and, most notably, on 24 minutes as his chance got deflected onto the crossbar by an opposing defender. Atalanta ultimately found the lead 5 minutes before the half time, following a corner: Guerini nodded onto the back post the ball previously fed into the box by Riccio, causing an own goal by Valdesi.
The second half opened up with the Primavera still going strong: in the 52nd minute, De Nipoti fed Vlahović who loosened a shot from a tight angle, however ending above the crossbar. On 63 minutes Atalanta was a stone’s throw from doubling their lead: Guerini’s through ball for De Nipoti was initially deflected by Daffara, with Vlahović failing to slot in his header on the rebound. Juventus ultimately scored the equaliser in the 74th minute, courtesy of Yildez slotting his banger into the top corner. The final whistle echoed through the Centro Bortolotti with 1-1 on the scoreboard.
ATALANTA 1-1 JUVENTUS
Scorers: Valdesi own goal 40 (J), Yildez 74 (J).
Atalanta: Bertini, Muhameti (Vavassori 82), Vlahović (Stabile 82), De Nipoti (Roaldsøy 90), Riccio, Ghezzi, Palestra, Guerini (Tavanti 82), Colombo, Regonesi, Mendicino (Chiwisa 61). Unused bench: Maglieri, Pardel, Bernasconi, Bevilacqua, Falleni, Cellerino. Coach: Marco Fioretto.
Juventus: Daffara, Valdesi, Rouhi (Moruzzi 86), Dellavalle, Turco (Mancini 61), Hasa, Ripani (Anghele 68), Yildiz, Nonge, Citi, Maressa (Mbangula 61). Unused bench: Vinarcik, Nobile, Ngana, Bassino. Coach: Paolo Montero.
Referee: Valerio Vogliacco from Bari (assistants Stefano Franco from Padua and Leonardo Tesi from Lucca).
Notes: Guerini (A), Hasa (J) and Ghezzi (A) booked.
