Matchday 8 of the 2023-2024 Primavera 1 TIM “Trofeo Giacinto Facchetti” league, saw the Nerazzurri claim the Synergy stadium with a narrow 0-1 away win over Hellas Verona as Manzoni, pictured in the cover, scored the match-winner on 24 minutes.
After treading carefully for a while, Atalanta took the lead courtesy of an astonishing solo goal of their number 7: after dribbling his way past a Hellas defender, Manzoni beat Toniolo with a pinpoint finish. Despite the hosts’ attempt, Atalanta’s defence quelled the Scaligier retaliation without a hitch: on 40 minutes, Obrić performed a timely cutback to nullify Diao Balde’s counter.
In the opening of the second half, Pardel’s save on Patanè’s shot was followed up by Atalanta’s attempts to double their lead; first with a threatening cross-shot by Chioggiato followed by Vlahović, whose attempt was eventually foiled by the Gialloblu defensive line. At the stroke of 60 minutes, Atalanta went down to 10 men as Comi was sent off after being shown the second yellow card of the game. Forced to bite the bullet being one man down, the Nerazzurri put on a remarkable display of resilience: starting off with Pardel’s save on Balde and following up with Hellas Verona’s temporary equalizer on 80 minutes being disallowed for offside, Atalanta stood their ground until the proverbial 11th hour as Dentale missed his chance to level the game from a very favourable position in full stoppage time. As the final whistle filled the air of the Synergy stadium, Atalanta’s Under 19 passed the Hellas Verona test with flying colours, claiming the full three points after a harsh trial of strength on a really demanding pitch.
HELLAS VERONA 0-1 ATALANTA
Scorer: Manzoni (A) 24
Hellas Verona: Toniolo, Dalla Riva (Ventura 69), Wanege, Calabrese, Patanè (Dentale 80), Diao Balde, De Battisti (Rigo 61), Henry, Corradi, Pavanati (Agbonifo 61), Cisse.
Unused subs: Castagnini, Riahi, Minnocci, Valenti, Trevisan, Fagoni, Vermesan.
Coach: Paolo Sammarco.
Atalanta: Pardel, Obrić, Simonetto, Comi, Manzoni, Riccio, Vlahović (Jonsson 87), Chiggiato (Bordiga 87), Guerini, Bonanomi (Tornaghi 65), Colombo (Martinelli 74).
Unused subs: Sala, Vavassori, Bordiga, Bevilacqua, Fiogbe, Parilla, Capac, Cassa.
Coach: Marco Zanchi (in lieu of Giovanni Bosi, suspended).
Referee: Emanuele Ceriello from Chiari (assistant referees Francesco Macchi from Gallarate and Bruno Galigani from Sondrio).
Notes: Comi (A) was sent off after receiving a second yellow card; Diao Balde (HV), Nwanege (HV), Calabrese (HV) booked.
