Coppa Italia Primavera: Hellas Verona 4-5 Atalanta on penalties

Nerazzurri book their place in the semifinals with an away win over Hellas Verona in the Coppa Italia Round of 16. At the Aldo Olivieri Stadium in Verona, Ramaj and his teammates prevail on penalties against the Gialloblù.

The first chance of the match falls to the hosts: near the edge of the box, Feola cuts in from the right and fires a low, angled shot that goes wide of the left post. Coach Bosi’s side respond through Cakolli, but the No. 9’s left-footed effort is straight at Castagnini and easily saved. A few minutes later, in the 14th minute, the Nerazzurri take the lead: after an excellent interception by Percassi near the opposition area, Cakolli taps in from close range to open the scoring. Approaching the 40th minute, Cakolli is again dangerous with a central right-footed shot after a fine run in behind down the right flank. Late in the first half, the home side create an opening through Vermesan in the box, but his weak header is comfortably gathered by Anelli. After the first 45 minutes in Verona, Atalanta lead 1–0.

In the second half, Verona are first to threaten: following a quick counter-attack, Casagrande lets fly from distance with a scuffed effort that Anelli deals with comfortably. On the hour mark, the Nerazzurri double their lead thanks to Aliprandi’s clinical cross-shot after a superb backheel from Baldo to create space. The hosts try to pull one back through De Battisti, but the Gialloblù No. 19’s waist-high effort ends up in the arms of the Atalanta goalkeeper. In the 73rd minute, Hellas Verona reduce the deficit with Vermesan’s header at the back post. Shortly after, in the 78th minute, the Scaligeri draw level, once again through their 2006-born forward Vermesan. In stoppage time, Anelli preserves the result with a decisive save from Vermesan’s close-range effort. After 90 minutes, the match ends 2–2.

Atalanta then win the tie on penalties, with Anelli decisive as he saves the final three spot-kicks from the Gialloblù.

On Monday 16 February, Atalanta will be in action away at Sassuolo for the Primavera 1 “Trofeo Giacinto Facchetti” fixture, with kick-off scheduled for 15 CET.

HELLAS VERONA 4-5 ATALANTA ON PENALTIES

Scorers: Cakolli 14 (A), Aliprandi 60 (A), Vermesan 72, 78 (HV)

Penalty shoot-out: Mungari (A) saved, Vermesan (HV) goal, Valdivia (A) out, Popovic (HV) goal, Artesani (A) goal, Peci (HV) saved, Gasparello (A) goal, Feola (HV) saved, Ramaj (A) goal, Casagrande (HV) saved.

Hellas Verona: Castagnini, Popovic, Szimionaș (Pavanati 61), Vermesan, De Battisti, De Rossi (Martini 61), Feola, Yildiz (Garofalo 76), Casagrande, Barry, Peci. Left on the bench: Tommasi, Raccanello, Zanin, Cumerlato, Pinessi, Stella, Bortolotti, Fabbri. Coach: Fabio Moro.

Atalanta: Anelli, Maffessoli, Ramaj, Cakolli (Artesani 84), Baldo (Mungari 84), Parmiggiani, Valdivia, Aliprandi (Leandri 63), Percassi (Isoa 80), Mouisse, Bonanomi (Gasparello 80). Left on the bench: Leto, Rinaldi, Bono, Colombo, Arrigoni, H. Camara. Coach: Giovanni Bosi.

Referee: David Kovacevic from Arco Riva (assistants Carlo De Luca from Merano and Luigi Ingenito from Piombino).

Notes: De Battisti (HV), Maffessoli (A) and Yildiz (HV) booked.

Photo credit: Fotoexpress - Francesco Grigolini