Città di Varese 1-4 Atalanta U23s
Ghislandi, Del Lungo, Mendicino and Idele on target for the Nerazzurri
Atalanta U23s passed their first summer test with flying colours as coach Modesto's Nerazzurri impose themselves 1-4 over Città di Varese in front of a grandstand teeming with spectators courtesy of Ghislandi, Del Lungo, Mendicino and Idele.
After a levelled first quarter, the hosts threatened first and stung Bertini's gloves with an 18-minutes ranged drive before breaking the deadlock in the 23rd minute via Banfi, who capitalized on Bertini's slip-up. Despite the initial cold shower, the Nerazzurri kept their wits about them and stepped up their game in the following minutes finding the equaliser in the 34th through Ghislandi's long-distance scorcher. At the threshold of halftime (44 minutes) coach Modesto's lads managed to turn the game around with Del Lungo's shot to finalize his encroachment.
After the tactical overhaul carried out after the break by coach Modesto, with 8 players coming off from the bench, the second half opened with the black-and-blue U23s furthering their lead on 47 minutes as substitute Mendicino netted in the spot-kick earned by Vavassori. While Guerini's headed chance on 52 minutes was punched out for a corner by Ferrari, 66 minutes on the stopwatch eventually meant the Nerazzurri's 4th of the game as Idele found his scoring ways and edged past the opposing keeper with a stunning lob.
After a day off, the U23s will resume training on Monday morning.
CITTÀ DI VARESE 1-4 ATALANTA UNDER-23s
Scorer(s): Banfi 23 (C), Ghislandi 34 (A), Del Lungo 44 (A), Mendicino 47 (Penalty) (A), Idele 66 (A).
Città di Varese: Ferrari, Giorgi (Ferrieri 46), Vitofrancesco (Nitri 71), Mikhaylovskiy, Ropolo, Molinari, Valagussa (Marangoni 90), Azizi (Malinverno 71), Banfi, D'Iglio (Maccioni 50), Barzotti (Stampi 64). Unused Subs: Piras, Priola. Coach: Roberto Floris
Atalanta U23: Bertini (Zanchi 71), Bergonzi (Idele 46), Bernasconi (Guerini 46), Del Lungo (Masi 46), Comi (Berto 46), Panada (Armstrong 46), Muhameti (Ceresoli 46), Gyabuaa (C) (Mendicino 46), Diao (Obric), Vavassori (Renault 62), Ghislandi (Tornaghi 46). Coach: Francesco Modesto.
Referee: Mr. Nicosia Gabriele from Cinisello Balsamo;
Assistant referees: Giovanni Lo Monaco from Como and Vitella Gabriele from Saronno.
Notes: Ceresoli (A) and Malinverno (C) booked