National Play-offs Round 1 – Atalanta U23 7-1 Torres
The Nerazzurri delivered the perfect performance
A world-class Atalanta U23 side beat Torres 7-1 in the first leg of the first round of the national play-offs. Cassa and Vavassori scored hat-tricks, while Vlahović netted the Nerazzurri's other goal. The return leg is scheduled for Wednesday 14 May at 20:00 CEST in Sassari.
The tempo was high from the outset, with both teams pushing forward in search of a breakthrough. However, it was the Nerazzurri who broke the deadlock on 24 minutes when Vavassori cut inside from the left and fired into the bottom corner with his right foot. Atalanta doubled their lead in the 32nd minute when De Nipoti broke into the box and squared the ball to Vlahović, who slotted home his first-time effort. Vavassori struck again on 39 minutes, this time assisted by Vlahović, and two minutes later our number 11 completed his hat-trick with a curler after a dazzling run into the box.
Torres tried to get back into the game in the second half, but the U-23s remained focused and extended their lead through Cassa, who found space to slot home Vlahović's pass. Cassa got a brace on 79 minutes, finishing from close range after Del Lungo's assist. Zamparo pulled one back for the Sardinians in the 81st minute, before Cassa completed his hat-trick, the second one of the evening, with a pinpoint curler in the 93rd minute.
ATALANTA U23 7-1 TORRES
Scorers: Vavassori 24, 39, 41 (A), Vlahović 32 (A), Cassa 69, 79, 93 (A), Zamparo 81 (T).
Atalanta U23s: Vismara, Del Lungo (Navarro 82), Gyabuaa (C), De Nipoti (Cassa 62), Panada (Pounga 77), Vavassori (Ghislandi 62), Ceresoli, Scheffer, Bernasconi, Bergonzi, Vlahović (Alessio 77). Unused bench: Pardel, Dajčar, Tornaghi, Berto, Masi, Comi, Artesani, Riccio, Navarro, Lonardo. Coach: Alessandro Gamberini (replacing Francesco Modesto, suspended).
Torres: Zaccagno, Mercadante, Brentan, Dametto (Varela 46), Scotto (C) (Fabriani 46), Mastinu, Guiebre (Liviero 78), Fischnaller, Antonelli, Nanni (Zamparo 71), Zecca (Zambataro 78). Unused bench: Petriccione, Masala, Diakite, Idda, Casini, Giorico, Carboni. Coach: Alfonso Greco.
Referee: Domenico Mirabella from Naples.
Assistant referees: Emanuele Spagnolo from Reggio Emilia and Roberto Meraviglia from Pistoia.
Fourth official: Domenico Castellano from Naples.
VAR: Gianpiero Miele from Nola.
AVAR: Edoardo Gianquinto from Parma.
Notes: De Nipoti (A), Scheffer (A) and Mastinu (T) booked.