Group C Playoffs’ Round 1, Casertana 1-0 Atalanta U23s
The Nerazzurri's playoff run comes to its end
Atalanta U23s bowed out in the first round of the playoffs, losing 1–0 to Casertana.
A lively contest at the Pinto stadium, with a high tempo from the opening stages. In the 11th minute, Atalanta U23s threatened from a corner routine: Levak was picked out but headed off target. Shortly after, the Nerazzurri pushed forward again, with Cassa rising highest to meet Levak’s cross, only for the goalkeeper to react well and keep it out. Casertana responded and went close to taking the lead through Butti’s headed effort, but Vismara was equal to it. For the remainder of the first half, both sides tried their luck from distance, but neither could find the breakthrough.
At the start of the second half, Atalanta U23 carved out a big chance straight away: played in by Manzoni, Cassa failed to hit the target from just a few yards out. The forward tried to make amends in the 64th minute, but his header drifted wide. Five minutes later, Casertana threatened through Butic, whose powerful strike was well dealt with by Vismara. The Nerazzurri kept pushing and went close again with Bonanomi, who cut inside from the right and fired a low left-footed effort just wide. Another chance followed in the 75th minute, when Vavassori broke into the box but shot straight at the goalkeeper. Three minutes later, Saco struck the decisive blow for Casertana, his goal sending the Campanian side through to the next round.
CASERTANA 1-0 ATALANTA U23s
Scorers: Saco 78 (C)
Casertana: De Lucia, Llano (Bacchetti 79), Heinz, Butic (Vano 79), Oukhadda, Bentivegna (Saco 56), Girelli, Martino, Toscano (C) (Pezzella 67), Rocchi, Casarotto (Kallon 56). Unused Bench: Merolla, Vilardi, Kontek, Proia, Leone, Galletta, Viscardi, Arzillo, Vano, Liotti. Coach: Federico Coppitelli.
Atalanta U23s: Vismara, Panada (C), Manzoni (Cortinovis 70), Cassa (Vavassori 70), Cissè, Guerini, Obrić, Ghislandi (Zanaboni 80), Steffanoni (Bonanomi 61), Navarro, Levak. Unused Bench: Pardel, Zanchi, Berto, Pounga, Riccio, Idele, Bergonzi, Mencaraglia. Coach: Salvatore Bocchetti.
Referee: Cristiano Ursini from Pescara;
Assistant referees: Massimiliano Starnini from Viterbo and Marco Munitello from Gradisca d’Isonzo;
Fourth official: Gabriele Sacchi from Macerata;
V.A.R.: Federico Dionisi from L’Aquila;
A.V.A.R.: Antonio Di Reda from Molfetta.
Notes: Bentivegna (C), Coppitelli (C), Martino (C) booked