Group A Matchday 18 of the 2023-2024 Serie C NOW saw Atalanta Under-23s bouncing back from last week’s defeat as coach Modesto’s lads returned to winning ways and imposed themselves 0-1 away against hosting side Pro Sesto.
The Nerazzurri were in with their first chance of the game on 15 minutes: Capone loosened up a cross for Cisse, who tried to steer his header goalwards but his attempt ended up off target. While in the 27th minute Varnier’s timely undercut thwarted Bruschi’s attacking run, the U23s retaliated in under a minute with Palestra; but his attempt to capitalize on Ghislandi’s cross was unsuccessful.
After the stalemate reigned supreme in the first half, as coach Modesto’s lads took it back to the pitch with a rather overhauled approach, the goal was not long in coming: on 55 minutes Atalanta broke the deadlock with Cisse who, after skipping past Marianucci, cynically bested Del Frate in the one-on-one. The Nerazzurri were inches away from doubling the lead on 74 minutes: after going solo and bursting in the box from the left flank, Ceresoli opted for a shot, eventually fended off by Del Frate. Atalanta closed the match with another winning chance on 96 minutes with a counter lead by Italeng and Chiwisa and with only an unfortunate misunderstanding in the last pass to prevent the Under-23s from sealing the night with another goal.
PRO SESTO 0-1 ATALANTA UNDER-23s
Scorers: Cisse 55 (A).
Pro Sesto: Del Frate, Maurizii, Marianucci, Petrungaro (76′ Brignoli), D’Alessio (Florio 60), Palazzi, Mapelli, Ferro (Petrelli 75), Toninelli (C), Sereni, Bruschi. Unused subs: Formosa, Botti, Marchisano, Boscolo Chio, Iotti, Giorgeschi, Guerrisi. Coach: Francesco Parravicini.
Atalanta Under 23: Vismara, Palestra, Berto, Gyabuaa (Mendicino 63), Capone (C) (Chiwisa 88), Cisse (Italeng 88), Varnier, Ghislandi (Solcia 63), Ceresoli, Cortinovis (De Nipoti 69), Awua. Unused subs: Gelmi, Avogadri, Muhameti, Sidibe, Regonesi, Falleni, Rosa, Mora. Coach: Francesco Modesto.
Referee: Gabriele Sacchi from Macerata.
Assistant referees: Domenico Russo from Torre Annunziata and Giuseppe Romaniello from Napoli.
Fourth Official: Costanzo Cafaro from Alba – Bra.
Notes: Petrungaro (P), Gyabuaa (A), Marianucci (P), Bruschi (P), Ferro (P) and Mendicino (A) booked.
