2024/25 Group A Play-offs Rd1: Trento 1-2 Atalanta U23s

Clinching an invaluable 2-1 away win in Trento thanks to first-half goals from Vlahović and Panada, Atalanta U23s have punched their ticket for the Group A Playoffs Round 2, where the Nerazzurri will lock horns with AlbinoLeffe on Wednesday, May 7, in Zanica (kick-off to be confirmed).

The Nerazzurri nearly drew first blood on 2 minutes with a double quickfire chance: after Bernasconi's right-footed shot from Ghislandi's layoff got parried away from the Trento keeper, Vlahović pounced on the rebound just steps from goal, only to be met by the opposing goal-stopper. The deadlock broke on 19 minutes: latching onto a loose ball in the box after Cassa's effort, Vlahović fired it home with his right. Coach Modesto's lads doubled their lead in the 31st with Panada, who finished Cassa's through ball with a pinpoint angled drive. After Vlahović nearly bagged a brace just four minutes later, when his shot hissed wide, the hosts then pulled on back on 38 minutes with Petrovic, who capitalised on a scramble in the box following a rebound off the crossbar from a corner-kick situation and poked it home. The first half closed with another chance for Atalanta: rising highest in the dying seconds, Bergonzi crashed a header off the woodwork.

In the second half, the Nerazzurri held firm to shield their lead with great and determination, without shying away from goal chances. Set up by Vlahović in the 67th, Bergonzi fired a point-blank effort on goal, but was met by Barison’s last-ditch clearance. Then in the 76th minute Vismara stepped up with a capital save to keep Trento from levelling the score.

TRENTO 1-2 ATALANTA U23s

Scorers: Vlahović 19 (A), Panada 31 (A), Petrovic 38 (T)

Trento: Barlocco, Trainotti (C), Barison (Cappelletti 79), Anastasia (Peralta 59), Petrovic (Di Carmine 59), Giannotti, Disanto (Accornero 41), Di Cosmo, Aucelli, Maffei, Falasco (Rada 46). Unused bench: Santer, Tommasi, Di Carmine, Cappelli, Peralta, Sangalli, Ghillan. Allenatore: Luca Tabbiani.

Atalanta U23s: Vismara, Del Lungo, Gyabuaa (C), Panada (Scheffer 84), Ghislandi (Pounga 46), Obrić, Ceresoli, Cassa (Alessio 88), Bernasconi (Navarro 77), Bergonzi, Vlahović (Vavassori 77). Unused bench: Pardel, Dajčar, Tornaghi, Berto, Masi, De Nipoti, Comi, Artesani, Riccio, Lonardo. Coach: Francesco Modesto.

Referee: Mr. Simone Gavini from Aprilia;
Assistant referees: Cristian Robilotta from Sala Consilina and Andrea Romagnoli from Albano Laziale;
Fourth official: Mattia Drigo from Portogruaro;
V.A.R.: Daniele Minelli from Varese;
A.V.A.R.: Roberto Lovison from Padova.

Note: Vismara (A), Falasco (T), Pounga (A), Maffei (T) and Obrić (A) booked.