Primavera: Cesena 3-3 Atalanta

On Cesena’s home turf, on Matchday 12 of the Primavera 1 “Giacinto Facchetti Trophy”, coach Bosi’s Atalanta earned their 11th consecutive positive result of the season, drawing 3–3 at the end of a fiercely contested match that went right down to the final second.

Both sides came out strong early on: the hosts threatened first with a header from a corner, while Bosi’s Atalanta also tried to make an impact from the flag, pushing from the opening minutes to break the deadlock. After an off-target effort from the edge of the box, Cesena went close again with Galvagno’s turn, forcing Zanchi into a fine save. Atalanta responded through Mencaraglia, but his long-range attempt failed to trouble the Romagna defence. Shortly after, around the 20-minute mark, Zanchi once more came up big with a decisive stop on Tosku’s powerful left-footer from distance. But in the 38th minute the Nerazzurri keeper could do nothing to deny Poletti, whose right-footed strike to the far post put the home side ahead.

Atalanta reacted immediately, pushing for an equaliser, and just before the break they found it: after a slick passing exchange on the edge of the area, Baldo finished brilliantly at the near post, beating the Cesena goalkeeper. The first half ended 1–1.

At the start of the second half, Cesena regained the lead with a well-struck left-footed shot from the edge of the box, but once again Atalanta drew level almost instantly—this time through Gasparello, who tapped home after Fontana had saved Gobbo’s close-range effort.

As the match entered its most intense phase, Atalanta pushed for all three points. In the 65th minute, Artesani came close to completing the comeback with a left-footed attempt at the near post, and shortly afterwards Mencaraglia fired just wide. In the closing stages—amid increasingly heavy rain—the hosts struck the post with a header inside the box, while Atalanta managed to turn the game around thanks to substitute Camara, who with his back to goal spun brilliantly and fired a right-footed shot that left Fontana with no chance.

But deep into stoppage time, Cesena found a late equaliser from a corner, with Wade Papa heading in at the near post to beat the Nerazzurri defence. At the “Romagna Centro” Sports Centre in Martorano, the match finished 3–3.

On Wednesday, 26 November, coach Bosi’s Atalanta will visit Eintracht Frankfurt for Matchday 5 of the 2025–26 UEFA Youth League League Phase. Kick-off is at 16:00.

CESENA 3-3 ATALANTA

Reti: Poletti 38 (C), Baldo 41 (A), Galvagno 51 (C), Gasparello 58 (A), Camara 88 (A), Wade Papa 90+1 (C).

Cesena: Fontana, Domeniconi, Carbone (Ricci 89), Galvagno (Wade Papa 70), Tosku, Rossetti (Sanaj 84), Ridolfi (Biguzzi 84), Mattioli, Poletti (Berti 70), Kebbeh, Ribello. Left on the bench: Gianfanti, Gasperini, Baietta, Zaghini, Gabriele, Casadei. Coach: Nicola Campedelli.

Atalanta: Zanchi, Gobbo, Maffessoli, Mencaraglia, Cakolli (Mouisse 77), Baldo (Ramaj 89), Valdivia, Gasparello (Camara 77), Isoa (Percassi 89), Arrigoni (Artesani 56), Leandri. Left on the bench: Anelli, Galafassi, Parmiggiani, Mungari, Bono, Aliprandi. Coach: Giovanni Bosi.

Arbitro: Gianluca Renzi from Pesaro (assistant referees Alfonsorocco Rosania from Finale Emilia and Emanuele Spagnolo from Reggio Emilia).

Note: Poletti (C) booked.

Baldo features the cover photo.