Playoff Round 2 Atalanta U23s 1-1 Legnago

Although the Group A Playoff Round 2 fixture of the 2023-2024 Serie C NOW league saw Atalanta U23s  draw 1-1 with Legnago at the Città di Caravaggio stadium, coach Modesto's lads nonetheless punched their ticket to the National Playoff stage due to the Nerazzurri's best final placement in the regular season’s standings.

As for the U23s' next opponents in the National stage, coach Modesto's lads will now lie in wait for the Lega Pro draws taking place tomorrow at 09:30 CEST.

After a rather speculative start, with no notable chances from either team throughout the first fifteen minutes of the game, Cissé who followed up on his magic moment of late by breaking the deadlock on 19 minutes with his fourth consecutive goal: after igniting the black-and-blue counter and a give-and-take with Gyabuaa, the Guinean striker came full circle and slotted the ball in to give Atalanta the lead. The visitors threatened on 24 minutes but Vismara negated Legnago's attempt with a great save. Atalanta retaliation was not long in coming with Cisse once again who, upon dashing through the field, had his shot parried by Fortin on 38 minutes. With Legnago being awarded a penalty after Berto's penalty challenge, Svidercoschi equalised from the spot on 38 minutes. Legnago closed the first half on the offensive forcing Panada to a timely undercut on 42 minutes.

Coach Modesto's lads had the first chance of the second half on 56 minutes: after wreaking havoc through the right flank and dribbling his way into the box, Jimenez unleashed a pinpoint cross for Capone, who albeit couldn't finalize. Jimenez threatened once again on 61 minutes, forcing Fortin to perform a last-ditch save. 70 minutes on the stopwatch and in came another chance for Atalanta, as Vlahović gathered Panada's pass but finalised the counter too high. After being initially sent off for an alleged last-man foul, Comi's straight red card was nullified following a VAR on-field review. With Atalanta U23s remaining on top of the game for the vast majority of the second half, which led to the Nerazzurri thwarting the visitors' desperate forcing in injury time with ease, coach Modesto's lads walked off the Caravaggio stadium unscathed and with a spot in the National playoff stage.

ATALANTA UNDER-23s 1-1 LEGNAGO

Scorers: Cisse 19 (A), Svidercoschi 38 (penalty) (L).

Atalanta U23: Vismara, Palestra, Berto, Bonfanti (Comi 61), Gyabuaa, Capone (C), Cisse (Vlahović 61), Jimenez (Muhameti 82), Ceresoli, Bernasconi, Panada. Unused subs: Bertini, Avogadri, Mendicino, Ghislandi, Solcia, Masi, Regonesi, Diao, Falleni, De Nipoti. Coach: Francesco Modesto.

Legnago Salus: Fortin, Pelagatti, Baradji, Van Ransbeeck, Svidercoschi (Mbakogu 60), Motoc, Diaby (Rocco 46), Ruggeri (Sambou 75), Muteba (Hadaji 75), Zanandrea, Martic (Franzolini 84). Unused subs: Tosi, Businarolo, Mazzali, Sbampato, Viero, Travaglini, Boci, Noce, Buric, Balbo. Coach: Massimo Donati.

Referee: Filippo Giaccaglia from Jesi; Assistant referees: Antonio Aletta from Avellino and Daljit Singh from Macerata; Fourth official: Giuseppe Vingo from Pisa; V.A.R.: Daniele Paterna from Teramo; A.V.A.R.: Daniele Minelli from Varese.

Notes: Red card shown to Legnago Salus' coach Donati; Ruggeri (L), Cisse (A), Capone (A), Motoc (L), Baradji (L), Mbakogu (L), Pelagatti (L) booked.