Az Picerno 1-1-Atalanta U23s

Atalanta U23s extended their unbeaten run to five matches as they came from behind to earn a 1–1 draw away to AZ Picerno at the Donato Curcio.

A high-tempo opening half at the Donato Curcio, with the pace set from the very first minutes. In the 2nd minute, Vismara produced a superb save to deny Del Fabro’s header. The Nerazzurri responded in the 11th with a Cissè counterattack: the forward rounded the keeper, but a Rossoblù defender recovered to block his effort. Three minutes later Baldassin, just a yard from goal, couldn’t turn home a cross from the left thanks to crucial interventions from Steffanoni and Berto. Atalanta came close to the opener in the 26th when Manzoni rattled the crossbar with a powerful strike from outside the box. Plaia then stepped up in the 31st with a decisive challenge on Esposito as he was about to pull the trigger in front of Vismara. Despite the Nerazzurri’s efforts, it was the hosts who broke the deadlock in the 39th minute, with Pugliese heading home from a corner.

The Nerazzurri responded early in the second half, with Vismara again called into action two minutes after the restart to deny Abreu. The equaliser arrived in the 54th minute: after Cassa won a corner with a sharp effort inside the box, the resulting delivery fell to Manzoni, who controlled and fired home emphatically to restore parity. The remainder of the match saw both defences hold firm, with chances at a premium as the sides settled for a share of the spoils.

AZ PICERNO 1-1 ATALANTA U23s

Scorers: Pugliese 39 (AZ), Manzoni 54 (AT)

AZ Picerno: Marcone, Bellodi, Esposito E. (C) (Kanoute 73), Guadagni (Cardoni 83), Salvo (Salvo 78), Baldassin (Bianchi 73), Del Fabro, Franco, Abreu Santos, Rillo (Pistolesi 73), Pugliese. Unused Bench: Summa, Esposito A, Coppola, Maiorino, Djibril, Bocic, Scalcione. Coach: Valerio Bertotto.

Atalanta U23s: Vismara, Plaia, Berto, Panada (C), Manzoni (Riccio 78), Pounga (Levak 46), Cassa (Cortinovis 74), Cissè (Camara 86), Obrić, Ghislandi (Simonetto 78), Steffanoni. Unused Bench: Pardel, Zanchi, Simonetto, Comi, Navarro, Bonanomi, Idele, Mencaraglia. Coach: Salvatore Bocchetti.

Referee: Domenico Castellone from Napoli;
Assistant Referees: Diego Spatrisano from Cesena and Filippo Pignatelli from Viareggio;
Fourth Official: Bruno Spina from Barletta;
FVS Operator: Stefano Vito Martinelli from Potenza.

Notes: Franco (AZ), Simonetto (AT), Abreu (AZ) booked