Livorno 1-0 Atalanta U23s

Atalanta U23s suffered a narrow defeat at the Armando Picchi Stadium in Livorno. After a positive first half and a strong start to the second, the Nerazzurri were punished by Mawete’s 49th-minute goal and were unable to find an equaliser despite pushing until the final whistle.

Atalanta U23s had the better of the first half in Livorno, controlling proceedings for much of the opening 45 minutes. As early as the 3rd minute, Steffanoni picked out Bonanomi in the box after a driving run, but the No. 10 fired wide. Two minutes later, Levak tried his luck from distance following a long run with the ball, sending his effort just past the post. The hosts’ only shot on target of the first half came in the 29th minute, with Anelli making a comfortable save. The Nerazzurri then went within inches of taking the lead in the 32nd minute after a fine move: Steffanoni found Levak with a pinpoint cross, and his first-time ball into the box picked out Zanaboni, whose effort struck the post.

Atalanta U23s also made a bright start to the second half, immediately creating an opportunity through Levak in the 47th minute, but he was unable to make it count. A minute later, Idele burst down the right and crossed for Zanaboni, whose first-time effort was brilliantly kept out by the Livorno goalkeeper. The hosts then took the lead in the 49th minute, when Mawete headed home from a free-kick. In the 63rd minute, Pounga’s cross flashed dangerously across the box without a touch and almost caught out the Livorno goalkeeper, who managed to intervene. The Nerazzurri’s final attempt came in stoppage time through Misitano, whose shot was deflected behind for a corner.

LIVORNO 1-0 ATALANTA U23s

Scorers: Mawete 49 (L)

Livorno: Martinez, Bachini, Bacciardi, Aramu (Mancini 66), Di Carmine (Gabbiani 66), Arrigoni (C), Regazzetti, Malotti (Calabrò 66), Veseli (Pittino 77), Falasco, Mawete (Rizza 73). Unused bench: Tani, Ciobanu, Gentile, Menarini, Peralta, Malagrida, Morachioli, Marinari, Badoro. Coach: Richiard Vanigli.

Atalanta U23s: Anelli, Idele, Plaia, Pounga, Bonanomi (De Nipoti 59), Mirra, Steffanoni (Manzoni 76), Ghislandi (C) (Diao 59), Navarro, Levak (Bertolini 87), Zanaboni (Misitano 59). Unused bench: Bugli, Bertini, Guerini, Isoa, Bergonzi, Puljić, Camara, Pedretti, Mencaraglia. Coach: Nicola Beati.

Referee: Giuseppe Vingo from Pisa;
Assistant referees: Cristian Robilotta from Sala Consilina and Alessandro Marchese from Naples;
Fourth official: Davide Ammannati from Florence;
FVS operator: Luigi Ingenito from Piombino.

Notes: Stoppage time: 2 minutes (1st half) and 6 minutes (2nd half); Falasco (L), Idele (A), Regazzetti (L), Mirra (A), Calabrò (L) booked