U23s earn first win of the season: Guidonia beaten 2-1 in Caravaggio

Atalanta U23s claimed their first league win of the season, beating Guidonia 2-1 at the Stadio Comunale in Caravaggio on Matchday 2. The Nerazzurri broke the deadlock through Misitano before Ghislandi doubled the lead in the second half, with Vertainen’s stoppage-time goal not enough to change the outcome.

It was a positive first half in Caravaggio, with the U23s threatening as early as the 6th minute through a lively Misitano. The number 9 dribbled past two opponents down the right before testing Drago with a dangerous cross-shot. Guidonia carved out a triple chance in the 21st minute: Anelli saved the first effort, the follow-up struck Guerini on the back and the Nerazzurri goalkeeper was alert once again to keep out the third attempt. In the 30th minute, it was our number 9 who broke the deadlock. Released by an excellent long ball from Guerini, Misitano raced through on goal and kept his composure in front of the goalkeeper to score coach Beati’s U23s’ first league goal of the season.

In the 50th minute, Anelli was alert to keep out a dangerous header in the box before launching the counter-attack with a long ball for Misitano. The number 9 controlled the ball, raced through on goal and found the net for what looked like his second, but the goal was ruled out for an earlier foul on the defender. The Nerazzurri did make it 2-0 in the 61st minute, though, as substitute Ghislandi collected Steffanoni’s pass and beat Drago with a fine right-footed finish from inside the box. A few minutes later, Diao had a good opportunity, meeting Ghislandi’s low ball first time, but his effort was blocked.

Guidonia pushed to get back into the game in the final ten minutes and struck the crossbar in the 82nd minute. Another chance followed in the 86th, when a close-range effort took a deflection off the Nerazzurri defence and flew over the bar. Two minutes later, Ghislandi had a golden opportunity after being picked out in the box by a perfectly weighted pass from Camara, but was unable to convert. The final action of the game saw Vertainen pull one back in the 95th minute, but it was not enough for Guidonia as the U23s secured their first three home points of the season.

ATALANTA U23s 2-1 GUIDONIA

Scorers: Misitano 30 (A), Ghislandi 61 (A), Vertainen 90+5 (G)

Atalanta U23s: Anelli, Plaia, Manzoni (Ghislandi 56), Pounga, Misitano (Camara 64), Bonanomi (Diao 56), Mirra, Guerini (C) (Bergonzi 79), Steffanoni (Mencaraglia 79), Navarro, Levak. Unused Bench: Bugli, Bertini, Idele, Bertolini, Puljić, Rinaldi, Pedretti, Zanaboni. Coach: Nicola Beati.

Guidonia: Drago, Esempio (C), Celeghin (Ferrari 62), Mastrantonio (Murgia 46), Errico (Tonetto 62), Vertainen, Spavone (D'Urso 46), Mulè (Santoro 82), Giannotti, Baroni, Zappella. Unused Bench: Ramogida, Stellato, Malomo, Viteritti, Frascatore. Coach: Giovanni Abate.

Referee: Enrico Eremitaggio from Ancona;
Assistant referees: Andrea Rizzello from Casarano and Stefano Petarlin from Vicenza;
Fourth official: Abdoulaye Diop from Treviglio;
FVS operator: Giuseppe Chimento from Saronno.

Notes: Celeghin (G), Steffanoni (A), Murgia (G) booked