Atalanta U23s: 2-1 win over SPAL and through to the next round!
Vavassori and Tornaghi sew up coach Modesto Nerazzurri's win
Coach Modesto's Nerazzurri started their 2024/25 Coppa Italia Serie C in the best of ways as they impose themselves 2-1 over SPAL in the first knockout round courtesy of Vavassori and Tornaghi's very own professional scoring debuts.
The visitors threatened first in the 4th minute when Rosafio's shot after a defensive shortcoming forced Bertini's save. The Nerazzurri retaliated on 9 and 10 minutes, first with Panada, whose attempt turned out too slow to irk Melgrati, and then with Vlahović, who couldn't find the right finish to the counter. Then came two further chances within a matter of minutes courtesy of the Diao-Vlahović connection: while the Spaniard forewarned first with his 29-minutes shot finishing albeit off target after a finesse give-and-go with his offensive fellow, it was then the Serbian striker who took his chances than 60 seconds later, when his ranged scorcher flew barely wide to the side missing the post by inches. Vlahović had another crack in the 44th as he smacked the post with a right-footed curler after cutting in to find the right opening. Curtains fell on the first half with the Nerazzurri on the offensive: while Diao was blocked before he could take his shot, Vlahović nonetheless snatched the rebound and loosened a shot in the follow-up, with his attempt eventually being deflected behind for a corner.
Couldn't asking for a better (re-)start, Atalanta U23s took the lead at the crack of the second half, when Vavassori went solo and broke the deadlock with his very first goal as a pro not even a minute after coming off the bench for Diao. The visitors restored the balance on 51 minutes when Karlsson hit the target after gathering the ball in the heart of the box. 60 minutes in and it was Bernasconi's turn this time, who saw his shot deflected by Melgrati. SPAL threatened in the 70th with Antenucci, whose offensive sortie in the black-and-blue box was unconducive. It fell to Tornaghi make his scoring professional debut to break the stalemate and decide the first knockout round with a thunderous header from a corner set-piece on 92 minutes.
Atalanta U23s will now face the victors of the Legnago Salus v Vicenza tie in the second knockout round scheduled for Sunday, August 18, at 21:00 CEST.
ATALANTA UNDER-23s 2-1 SPAL
Scorer(s): Vavassori 47 (A), Karlsson 51 (S), Tornaghi 90+2 (A)
Atalanta U23s: Bertini, Del Lungo (Mendicino 72), Muhameti (De Nipoti 81), Gyabuaa (C), Panada, Comi (Berto 46), Ghislandi (Tornaghi 50), Diao (Vavassori 46), Bernasconi, Bergonzi, Vlahović. Unused subs: Torriani, Dajcar, Kraja, Vavassori, Obric, Armstrong, Fiogbe, Manzoni, Cassa, Idele. Coach: Francesco Modesto.
SPAL: Melgrati, Bruscagin, Collodel, Karlsson, Radrezza, Rao (D'Orazio 46), Rosafio (Antenucci 66), Arena (C) (Bachini 49), Saiani (Breit 66), Bassoli, Nador (Zammarini 56). Unused subs: Meneghetti, Dumbravanu, La Mantia, Boccia, Camelio, Antonciuc, Kane. Coach: Andrea Dossena.
Referee: Mr. Adolfo Baratta from Rossano;
Assistant referees: Roberto Meraviglia from Pistoia and Roberto Palermo from Pisa;
Fourth official: Maksym Frasynyak from Gallarate.
Notes: Berto (A), Mendicino (A) booked.