Primavera: Atalanta 1-2 Cremonese

The black-and-blue Primavera got off to a bumpy debut in the 2024-2025 Primavera 1 “Trofeo Giacinto Facchetti” league as away side Cremonese imposed themselves 1-2 in the MD1 fixture played at the Carillo Pesenti Pigna stadium in Alzano Lombardo.

Despite the Nerazzurri's good start, Cremonese took an early lead as Gabbiani steered his 9-minute effort into the net. The visitors had another go on 13 minutes, when Faye smacked the crossbar with his goalward header. Baldo retorted for Atalanta in the 28th firing his angled drive slightly off target. 38 minutes in and it was Riccio who threatened this time as he forced the opposing keeper to perform a timely save on his left-footed scorcher from the edge of the box. Atalanta Primavera closed the first half on the offensive, registering two clear chances before the halftime whistle: first came Tavanti, who nodded the ball high over the bar from a corner-kick situation, followed by Camara, who found the right opening in the box before seeing his attempt thwarted by Tommasi's on-rushing save.

The second half opened up with Riccio called into action to perform a double split-second clearance to negate Faye and then Gabbiani on 54 minutes. Three minutes later Faye nodded the ball in from a corner set-piece to double Cremonese's lead. Displaying a great double piece of goalkeeping on 70 minutes, the opposing sweeper denied Bonsignori Goggi right before smothering Baldo's tap-in in the follow-up. The two goalies reversed roles in the 73rd, when Torriani proved himself well aware of Nahrudnyy's ranged attempt. 82 minutes in and it fell to Jonsson to force Tommasi's on-rushing save with his sliding finish. The Nerazzurri pulled one back in the 84th through Riccio, who nodded Simonetto's cross in. Despite Atalanta's forcing in the final minutes, the visitors held on to their lead until the very last breath to sow up a 2-1 win in their 2024/25 league's maiden game.

ATALANTA 1-2 CREMONESE

Scorers: Gabbiani 9 (C), Faye 57 (C), Riccio 84 (A)

Atalanta: Torriani, Gobbo (Bonsignori Goggi 68), Simonetto, Ghezzi (Ramaj 68), Riccio, Bonanomi (Mencaraglia 68), Gariani (Jonsson 72), Tavanti, Baldo, Camara (Capac 46), Maffessoli. Unused subs: Zanchi, Sala, Martinelli, Mensah, Arrigoni. Coach: Giovanni Bosi.

Cremonese: Tommasi, Duca, Prendi, Nahrudnyy, Lottici, Gabbiani, Faye, Lordkipanidze, Triacca, Zilio, Gashi. Unused subs: Sayajh, Malovec, Marino, Achi, Cantaboni, Pavesi, Paganotti, Rama, Bassi, Sivieri. Coach: Elia Pavesi.

Referee: Mauro Gangi from Enna (assistant referees Davide Santarossa from Pordenone and Matteo Nigri from Trieste).

Notes: Gariani (A), Riccio (A), and Lordkipanidze (C) booked.