Atalanta came off worst from Group A Matchday 16 of the 2023/24 Serie C NOW as hosting side Pro Patria imposed themselves 1-0 at the “Carlo Speroni” stadium in Busto Arsizio over the Nerazzurri, who have registered their second loss in a row.
The Nerazzurri had the first chance on 17 minutes as Cortinovis’ long pass unleashed Di Serio on a counter but Pro Patria defender Moretti performed a timely undercut to thwart the black-and-blue striker’s shot. Within roughly 6 minutes, Atalanta’s number 20# had another go with the goal: 23 minutes into the game, Di Serio’s on-turn attempt after gathering a pass in the heart of the box was eventually denied by Rovida. On the 42nd minute it was Varnier who tried to break the deadlock with a ranged drive from outside the box; but his attempt sailed wide off target. At the end of a lukewarm first half, the scoreboard didn’t budge from the opening 0-0.
The second tie saw U23s strong off the marks: first with Mallamo, who smashed the post with a roaring shot, and then, on 49 minutes, with Pro Patria going inches away from an own goal after a Rovida slip-up in the box. Despite Mallamo’s outstanding recovery on 58 minutes, Pro Patria’s goal was seemingly in the cards as Moretti scored from a corner kick just a minute later. After the post denied Mallamo once again the goal on 65 minutes, Vismara performed a magisterial save to foil Castelli’s shot 71 minutes into the game. Despite De Nipoti hitting the ground in the box on 88 minutes, the referee waved play on.
PRO PATRIA 1 – 0 ATALANTA U23s
Scorer: Moretti 59
Pro Patria: Rovida, Moretti, Marano (Nicco 68), Parker (Castelli 68), Pitou (Citterio 83), Bertoni, Lombardoni, Renault, Minelli, Ferri, Somma (Vaghi 68, 90 Piran). Unused subs: Mangano, Ndrecka, Saporetti, Bashi, Caluschi, Zanaboni. Coach: Riccardo Colombo.
Atalanta Under 23: Vismara, Palestra, Del Lungo, Gyabuaa, Capone (C) (Italeng 72), Varnier, Di Serio (De Nipoti 72), Ceresoli, Cortinovis (Cissè 56), Awua (Sidibe 56), Mallamo. Unused subs: Gelmi, Avogadri, Berto, Mendicino, Muhameti, Ghislandi, Solcia. Coach: Francesco Modesto.
Referee: Francesco Burlando from Genova.
Assistant Referees: Filippo Pignatelli from Viareggio and Alessandro Gennuso from Caltanissetta.
Fourth Official: Giacomo Rossini from Torino.
Notes: Pitou (P), Minelli (P), Palestra (A), Italeng (A) booked
