U23s, 4-1 win over Giana Erminio in the Coppa Italia Serie C Round 1
Cissé, Panada, Pounga and Vavassori punch Atalanta's ticket to round 2
By seizing the "Città di Gorgonzola" stadium with a 4-1 win over hosting side Giana Erminio, coach Bocchetti's Nerazzurri booked their spot in the Coppa Italia Serie C Round 2. Now playing the waiting game, Atalanta U23s are waiting for the outcome of the Alcione Milano v Pro Patria tie to discover their next opponent.
A boisterous first half unravelled in Gorgonzola: the match kicked off with the Nerazzurri arms at the ready with Navarro, muscling his way into the opposing box and then capping his solo effort with a shot on target, met by Mazza's gloves. On 13 minutes, Vavassori also had a go, missing the target. Giana Erminio traded blows in the 18th from a tricky free-kick situation, well-muted by Pardel. The Nerazzurri drew first blood 60 seconds later with Cissé, hitting the bullseye with a powerful right-footer from the edge of the box. While the hosts drew level in the 38th with Renda, Panada restored Atalanta's lead at the threshold of halftime with a pinpoint ranged javelin.
In the second half, Giana Erminio tried to up the ante in an effort to muster a second wind, but the Nerazzurri put their foot down and extended thier lead in the 67th with Pounga, who made it 1-3 leaving his mark on the scoresheet with an effort from the right flank. In a matter of minutes, Vavassori put the game on ice by capitalizing on Cissé's assist to set the scoreline at 1-4.
GIANA ERMINIO 1-4 ATALANTA U23s
Scorers: Cisse 19 (A), Renda 38 (G), Panada 45 (A), Pounga 67 (A), Vavassori 70 (A).
Giana Erminio: Mazza, Marotta (Nelli 57), Nucifero (Colombara 57), Pinto (C), Renda (Gabbiani 57), Akammadu (Lischetti 78), Ferri, Lamesta, Occhipinti (Pala 82), Ruffini, Alborghetti. Unused bench: Zenti, Magni, Berretta, Capelli, Vitale, Sandre, Piazza, Previtali. Coach: Vinicio Espinal.
Atalanta U23s: Pardel, Panada (C) (Riccio 78), Pounga, Cissè (Lonardo 78), Guerini (Berto 68), Obrić, Ghislandi (Simonetto 82), Navarro, Bergonzi, De Nipoti (Cortinovis 68), Vavassori. Unused bench: Torriani, Sassi, Comi, Manzoni, Tornaghi, Colombo, Levak, Del Lungo. Coach: Salvatore Bocchetti.
Referee: Lorenzo Massari from Torino.
Assistant referees: Nicola Morea from Molfetta and Simone Ambrosino from Nichelino.
Fourth Official: Francesco Burlando from Genova.
Notes: Ferri (G), Guerini (A), Panada (A) booked