A Rampant U23s: 6-2 thrashing of Casarano in Caravaggio
First Home Match, First League Win for the Nerazzurri
Atalanta U23s marked their home debut in style, overturning an early deficit to cruise past Casarano with a resounding 6-2 victory. A clinical hat-trick from Vavassori, a brace from Cortinovis and a well-taken goal by Levak sealed a dominant performance from the Nerazzurri.
Atalanta U23s got off to a lively start, threatening mere minutes after kickoff with a header from Cissè, who connected with a flick-on from Berto, sending the ball just wide. While the visitors drew first blood on 12 minutes with Malcore, the Nerazuzurri responded promptly, equalizing through Cortinovis slotting home Panada's assist in the 21st. The turnaround came in a matter of minutes: Berto played in Vavassori who, aided by a fortunate deflection, broke through on goal and slotted home. Riding a wave of momentum, the U23 team nearly added a third with a sharp one-two between Cortinovis and Panada, though the latter fired over the bar. On 36 minutes while Cissè forced a tough save from Chiorra with a well-struck shot, Vavassori pounced on the rebound, tapping in to seal his brace and extend the Nerazzurri's lead.
Despit the visitors being forced to play almost the entire second half a man down following D'Alena's red card in the 49th minute, Casarano pulled one back on 61 minutes through Ferrara. Atalanta restored their lead pronto as Vavassori broke away on the counter and slipped in Cortinovis, who dinked the ball over the keeper to bag his brace in style. In the 77th Vavassori completed his hattrick: picked out by Cortinovis, "Vava" powered his finish past the keeper to bring the ball back home. Coming off the bench, substitute Levak opened his Nerazzurri account in the closing stages of the game.
ATALANTA U23s 6-2 CASARANO
Scorers: Malcore 12 (C), Cortinovis 21, 66 (A), Vavassori 24, 36, 77 (A), Levak 86 (A)
Atalanta U23: Pardel, Berto (Navarro 46), Panada (C) (Riccio 64), Pounga (Colombo 46), Cissè, Guerini, Obrić (Comi 87), Ghislandi, Bergonzi, Cortinovis (Levak 81), Vavassori. Unused bench: Torriani, Sassi, Plaia, Simonetto, De Nipoti, Tornaghi, Idele, Del Lungo, Lonardo, Camara. Coach: Salvatore Bocchetti.
Casarano: Chiorra, Lulic, Celiento (Barone 82), D'Alena, Malcore (Zanaboni 58), Chiricò, Ferrara (Perez 76), Pinto (Gyamfi 82), Logoluso (C), Gega, Cajazzo (Millico 58). Unused bench: Bacchin, Pucci, Palumbo, Milicevic, Guastamacchia, Cerbone, Di Dio. Coach: Vito Di Bari.
Referee: Nicolò Dorillo from Turin;
Assistant referees: Michele Decorato from Cosenza and Paolo Fumagallo from Novara.
Fourth Official: Gabriele Restaldo from Ivrea.
FVS Operator: Mattia Bettani from Treviglio.
Notes: Celiento booked (C). Red card shown to D'Alena (C).