Torres 2-1 Atalanta U23s

Atalanta U23 fell to a 2-1 defeat away to Torres on the Serie C Sky Wifi Group B MD9. Two goals down at the break, the Nerazzurri came out fighting in the second half, with Anelli keeping their hopes alive by saving a penalty before Zanaboni struck late to set up a tense finish. Despite their spirited response, Atalanta U23 were unable to find the equaliser.

A difficult first half for Atalanta U23s in Sassari. In the 14th minute, Berto broke the deadlock with a header from a corner kick. The Nerazzurri tried to respond through Camara, who fired a low shot towards the near post at the end of an attacking move, but the opposition goalkeeper was equal to it. In the 28th minute, Torres doubled their lead through Scotto, who scored directly from a free kick. The hosts kept pushing and, in the 34th minute, Di Stefano came close to adding a third, but Anelli did well to turn the ball behind for a corner. In the closing stages, in the 45th minute, Diao tried to pull one back with a shot at the end of a counterattack, but the ball went behind for a corner.

In the second half, Atalanta U23 looked to get back into the game through substitute Misitano, who threatened in the 53rd minute with a shot from a tight angle on the left that went narrowly wide. In the 58th minute, Levak found the net after Navarro's long-range effort had struck the crossbar, but following an FVS review requested by Torres, the goal was ruled out for offside. Shortly afterwards, Misitano came close to scoring again, this time hitting the crossbar with a header. In the 78th minute, the hosts were awarded a penalty following another FVS review for a suspected handball. However, Anelli denied Bunino from the spot, saving his effort to keep the Nerazzurri's hopes alive. In the 83rd minute, Zanaboni pulled one back for Atalanta U23, capitalising on a mistake by the opposition goalkeeper as he came off his line to slot the ball home and bring the Nerazzurri back into the game. The visitors pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, but the scoreline remained unchanged as Torres held on for a 2-1 win.

TORRES 2-1 ATALANTA U23s

Scorers: Berto 14 (T), Scotto 28 (T), Zanaboni 83 (A)

Torres: Zaccagno, Berto, Brentan, Di Stefano (Lunghi 90), Masala (Liviero 69, Giorico 90+5), Scotto (C) (Bunino 70), Mastinu, Corsinelli, Antonelli, Kebbeh (Scaringi 69), Zecca. Unused Bench: Tirelli, Sanat, Carboni, Zanandrea. Coach: Alfonso Greco.

Atalanta U23: Anelli, Manzoni (Bonanomi 60), Pounga, Mirra, Guerini (C) (Ghislandi 60), Steffanoni (Bertolini 60), Diao (Misitano 46), Navarro, Puljić, Camara (Zanaboni 73), Levak. Unused Bench: Bertini, Zanchi, Simonetto, Gariani, Isoa, Bergonzi, Rinaldi, Mencaraglia. Coach: Nicola Beati

Referee: Simone Palmieri from Avellino;
Assistant referees: Paolo Camilli from Roma 1 and Gabriele Elisino from Ostia Lido;
Fourth official: Leonardo Di Mario from Ciampino;
FVS operator: Alessandro Rastelli from Ostia Lido.

Notes: Anelli saved a penalty from Bunino in the 80th minute; Berto (T), Misitano (A), Liviero (T) booked