Atalanta U23s 5-1 Pergolettese

By imposing themselves 5-1 over Pergolettese, coach Modesto's lads claimed their first domestic win in the 2024/25 Serie C NOW season.

The match opened up with the Nerazzurri on the offensive with Vlahović, who had the first chance of the game on 2 minutes but missed the target on Manzoni's pass. 5 minutes in Bergonzi threatened with a headed finish, eventually parried by Codarore before Vlahović had an unfruitful go on the rebound. Pergolettese retaliated on 9 minutes with a powerful shot from Parker, who finished inches wide to the side. Despite being on top of the game as far as possession is concerned and despite the ongoing forcing, Atalanta U23s struggled to find any viable opening. After performing a great 40-minute clearance on Parker, defender Comi almost broke the deadlock with a headed finish following a corner-kick situation as the ball hissed to the side by inches.

Despite the second half opening up with the away side taking the lead through Parker on 48 minutes, Atalanta U23s went full comeback barely one minute later to literally turn the game upside down: first came Del Lungo who levelled the score after bursting into the box by force; then Vlahović turned the table on the hosts on 63 minutes after finalising De Nipoti's counter with a thoroughbred striker movement in the mano a mano with Cordaro. After Bergonzi made it 3-1 in the 65th, Vlahović struck again after Atalanta were awarded a penalty following a foul on De Nipoti on 58 minutes: relentless from the spot, the Serbian hit the target once again to extend the Nerazzurri's lead with his brace. Vavassori also made it to the scoreboard in the 78th minute: after gathering the rebound following a host of deflected attempts, Atalanta's number 11 only had to tap the ball in from close range.

ATALANTA UNDER-23s 5-1 PERGOLETTESE

Scorers: Parker 48 (P), Del Lungo 50 (A), Vlahović 63, 69 (penalty) (A), Bergonzi 65 (A), Vavassori 78 (A)

Atalanta U23s: Bertini, Del Lungo, De Nipoti (Sodero 72), Panada (C (Gyabuaa 65), Vavassori (Cortinovis 79), Comi (Tornaghi 65), Manzoni, Bernasconi, Navarro, Bergonzi, Vlahović (Alessio 72). Unused subs: Torriani, Sala, Muhameti, Ghislandi, Obrić, Scheffer, Cassa, Idele. Coach: Francesco Modesto.

Pergolettese: Cordaro, Tonoli, Arini (C), Mondele Anzun (Abubakar 59), Parker, Lambrughi (Bignami 66), Stante (Albertini 46), Basili (Bouabre 79), Careccia, Capoferri, Jaouhari (Schiavini 79). Unused subs: Dordoni, Raimondi, Cerasani, Scarsella, Schiavini, Lecchi, Sartori, Olivieri. Coach: Giovanni Mussa.

Referee: Mr. Marco Di Loreto from Terni.
Assistant referee: Paolo Tomasi from Schio and Fabio Cantatore from Molfetta.
Fourth Official: Michele Pasculli from Como.

Notes: Stante (P), Comi (A), Abubakar (P) and Vlahović (A) booked.