Atalanta U23s 2-1 Alcione Milano
Nerazzurri through to the RO16
A fightback for the books: despite going down to ten men, the Nerazzurri battled back to claim a 2-1 victory over Alcione Milano and secure their place in the Coppa Italia Serie C Round of 16.
The first half opened with a chance for the visitors: just three minutes in, Sassi was called into action to deny Samele's point-blank finish. In the 24th it was Lonardo who hogged the spotlight instead with a brilliant solo effort, weaving his way into the box before his right-footed strike was deflected behind for a corner. The forward went close again on 34 minutes, taking the ball inside the area, cutting onto his left and forcing a fingertip save from the goalkeeper. However, two minutes later, Alcione broke the deadlock through Lopes.
The second half got underway with a golden opportunity for the Nerazzurri: Cissé burst through and laid it off for Camara, but he lifted his shot over the bar. In the 68th minute, Lonardo struck back, curling a right-footed effort beyond Cecchini to level the score. Atalanta were reduced to ten men in the 75th after a red card for a foul outside the box, but the U23s showed real determination and spirit and were rewarded late on. In the 88th minute, Cissé rose highest to head home Riccio's corner, sealing a 2-1 comeback and Atalanta's spot in the next round.
ATALANTA U23s 2-1 ALCIONE MILANO
Scorers: Lopes 36 (AM), Lonardo 68 (AT), Cisse 88 (AT)
Atalanta U23s: Sassi (C), Plaia (Guerini 85), Simonetto, Berto, Pounga (Mencaraglia 77), Cissè, Tornaghi, Colombo (Riccio 61), Idele, Lonardo (Torriani 77), Camara (Papadopoulos 61). Unused Bench: Vismara, Manzoni, Cortinovis, Armstrong, Fiogbe, Papadopoulos. Coach: Salvatore Bocchetti.
Alcione Milano: Cecchini, Chierichietti (C) (Pirola 74), Renault, Lanzi, Lopes (Rebaudo 67), Olivieri (Galazzi 83), Samele (Morselli 46), Giorgeschi, Bright (Pitou 67), Scuderi, Bertolotti. Unused bench: Agazzi, Miculi, Ciappellano, Muroni, Galli, Lione, Marconi. Coach: Giovanni Cusatis.
Referee: Gianluca Renzi from Pesaro.
Assistant referees: Andrea Mastrosimone from Rimini and Simone Mino from La Spezia.
Fourth Official: Michele Pasculli from Como.
Notes: Red card to Sassi (AT) Berto (AT), Tornaghi (AT), Pounga (AT), Morselli (AM), Papadopoulos (AT) booked.