Primavera, Bologna 1-2 Atalanta

Atalanta Primavera kicked off 2025 with a crucial victory over Bologna. In the 18th round of the 2024-2025 Primavera 1 "Trofeo Giacinto Facchetti" championship, the Nerazzurri triumphed at the Centro Sportivo di Crespellano with a 1-2 scoreline.

The match got off to a flying start, with Atalanta on the brink of taking the lead as Baldo and Riccio threatened throughout the opening, forcing Pessina to "work overtime" to keep the score level within the first 5 minutes. In the 21st Bonanomi had his go at the far post, but his shot flew over the crossbar. The Nerazzurri kept the heat on, first with Armstrong's ranged attempt and then with Maffesoli's mano-a-mano against the opposing keeper. Just before the break, Bonanomi won a penalty for Atalanta: making no mistake from the spot, Simonettosent Atalanta in front with a left-footed shot tucked just inside the post. As Bologna pulled one back with a well-placed free-kick from Tordiglione right on the whistle, the first half closed at 1-1.

At the start of the second half, Riccio left the opposing goalkeeper stranded as his left-footed finish towards the far post brought Atalanta back on top. On 58 minutes Atalanta came close to making it 3-1 with Baldo, but his header was saved by Pessina, also helped by the post. Then Damiano neared his first Primavera goal in the 73rd minute, as his shot went wide. While the Nerazzurri's pressure raged on courtesy of a relentless Damiano, Maffesoli and Capac, at the Centro Sportivo di Crespellano the match ticked over into a 2-1 victory for Mister Bosi's side.

Next week, the Nerazzurri will be gearing up for their Round of 16 Coppa Italia clash against Empoli. The match is scheduled for Wednesday, January 8, in Zingonia (synthetic pitch), with an 11:00 CET kickoff.

BOLOGNA 1- 2 ATALANTA

Scorers: Simonetto 45+2 penalty (A),Tordiglione 45+3 (B), Riccio 50 (A).

Bologna: Pessina, Puukko (Nesi 59), Ravaglioli, Di Costanzo (Libra 59), Papazov, Nordvall, Tordiglione (Castaldo 78), Baroncioni, Tonin (Longoni 78), Diop (Markovic 9), Mazzetti. Unused bench: Happonen, Mangiameli, Menegazzo, Velilles, Oliviero. Coach: Claudio Rivalta.

Atalanta: Zanchi, Gobbo, Simonetto, Riccio, Bonanomi (Capac 84), Baldo (Damiano 69), Steffanoni, Armstrong, Arrigoni (Ghezzi 80), Ramaj, Maffessoli. Unused bench: Sala, Isoa, Mencaraglia, Mungari, Tavanti, Bilać, Bonsignori Goggi, Idele. Coach: Giovanni Bosi.

Referee: Ciro Aldi from Lanciano (assistant referees: Gilberto Laghezza from Mestre and Thomas Storgato from Castelfranco Veneto).

Notes: Ravagnoli (B), Puukko (B) and Libra (B) booked.

Pictured on the cover Riccio and Bonanomi