National Play-offs Round 2 - Atalanta U23s 0-0 Audace Cerignola
The Nerazzurri need a win to go through
The first leg of the Serie C play-off quarter-final between Atalanta U23 and Audace Cerignola ended in a goalless draw at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.
The first half was evenly matched, with both teams pushing for the opening goal. Cuppone had the ball in the net for Audace Cerignola in the 21st minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Thirty minutes in, Vismara pulled off a huge save to deny Cuppone and keep the match balanced.
Our Under-23s got off to a stronger start in the second half. Ceresoli's shot was deflected out for a corner on 55 minutes. Bernasconi also had a shot on goal in the 62nd minute, but his scorcher was parried by Greco. At the 70-minute mark, the visitors were awarded a penalty for a handball by Bergonzi inside the box. However, Vismara not only saved the penalty taken by Capomaggio, but he also prevented the visitors from scoring from the rebound. The visitors came close to breaking the deadlock in the 82nd minute when they hit the crossbar from a free kick.
ATALANTA U23 0-0 AUDACE CERIGNOLA
Scorers: -
Atalanta U23s: Vismara, Del Lungo, Gyabuaa (C), De Nipoti (Alessio 67) Panada, Vavassori (Cassa 53), Ceresoli (Navarro 84), Scheffer, Bernasconi, Bergonzi, Vlahović (Lonardo 84). Unused bench: Pardel, Dajčar, Tornaghi, Berto, Pounga, Masi, Comi, Ghislandi, Obrić, Artesani, Riccio. Coach: Francesco Modesto.
Audace Cerignola: Greco, Russo (D'Andrea 75), Capomaggio, Visentin, Coccia (Romano 84), Tascone, Salvemini (Volpe 75), Bianchini (Mcjannet 65), Gonnelli, Cuppone (Achik 65), Martinelli (C). Unused bench: Saracco, Fares, Ligi, Sain-Maza, Velasquez, Nicolao, Ianzano, Carrozza. Coach: Giuseppe Raffaele.
Referee: Roberto Lovison from Padova;
Assistant referees: Alessio Miccoli from Lanciano and Andrea Cecchi from Roma 1;
Fourth official: Dario Di Francesco from Ostia Lido;
VAR: Manuel Volpi from Arezzo;
AVAR: Valerio Vogliacco from Bari.
Notes: Vismara (AT) saved a penalty from Capomaggio (AC) on 70 minutes; Red card for Scheffer (AT) on 87 minutes; Bianchini (AC) and Ceresoli (AT) booked.