Matchday 12 of the 2023-2024 Primavera 1 TIM “Trofeo Giacinto Facchetti” league saw Atalanta Under-19s share the spoils with titleholders Lecce at the Carillo Pesenti Pigna stadium in Alzano Lombardo at the end of a match rich in goals and emotions that culminated in a 3-3 draw.
Despite Atalanta’s bumpy start, which saw the visitors strike twice in the opening eight minutes through McJannet and Agrimi, Bosi’s lads were undaunted and fought back before half-time, with Vlahović, Obrić, Bonanomi and Vavassori all coming close to halving the deficit, only for Borbei to deny them.
After Vultuar’s free-kick bounced off the post at the restart, Vlahović sparked Atalanta’s comeback by converting two penalties within five minutes, putting the game in the balance. Vlahović nearly gave the Nerazzurri the lead in the 65th minute when his effort was desperately saved by Borbei before Burnete’s penalty restored the visitors’ lead on 72 minutes. However, Bosi’s lads were not ready to give in and Vlahović, assisted by Capac, completed a hattrick – which earned him the match ball with the signatures of all the players – that got the match back on level terms in the 78th minute. In the final minutes, Capac was again dangerous with his mazy runs and the Nerazzurri were close to making it 4-3 with the attempts of Bonanomi first (parried) and, above all, Vlahović’s 93rd-minute header that clipped the post.
The squad will now turn their focus to the Round of 16 tie of the Primavera TIM Cup away to Inter, which is scheduled for Wednesday.
ATALANTA 3-3 LECCE
Scorers: McJannet 2 (L), Agrimi 8 (L), Vlahović pen 55, pen 60, 78 (A), Burnete pen 72 (L).
Atalanta: Pardel, Obrić (Tornaghi 46), Simonetto (Castiello 46), Comi, Manzoni, Vlahović, Vavassori, Chiggiato (Cassa 46, Capac 76), Guerini (Ghezzi 76), Bonanomi, Colombo.
Unused bench: Sala, Riccio, Armstrong, Fiogbe, Jonsson, Gariani.
Coach: Giovanni Bosi.
Lecce: Borbei, Samek (Gromek 90), McJannet, Vulturar, Burnete, Pacia, Agrimi (Adewale 81), Davis, Corfitzen (Helm 81), Minerva, Kongslev (Munoz 62).
Unused bench: Leone, Herceg, Lukoki, Borgo, Zivanovic, Jemo, Vescar-Kodor.
Coach: Federico Coppitelli.
Referee: Cristiano Ursini from Pescara (assistant referees Nicola Di Meo from Nichelino and Vincenzo Russo from Nichelino).
Notes: Minerva (L) sent off on 83 minutes; McJannet (L), Bonanomi (A), Obrić (A), Comi (A), Agrimi (L) and Pardel (A) booked.
