U23s, strong performance not enough as Cittadella prevail 6-5 on penalties

Atalanta U23’s official Coppa Italia Serie C debut ended on the penalty spot: the Nerazzurri went 2-0 up at the Tombolato thanks to goals from Steffanoni and Bonanomi before Cittadella drew level. After the score remained 2-2 at the end of the 90 minutes, the hosts prevailed 4-3 in the shootout.

It was an action-packed first half at the Tombolato, with Cittadella making a strong start and testing Anelli, who produced three important saves: in the 9th minute from Anastasia’s free-kick, in the 15th following a double chance for the Granata and in the 27th to deny Rabbi. The Nerazzurri grew into the game as the minutes passed and broke the deadlock in the 35th minute through a superb Steffanoni strike from outside the box that flew into the top corner. Bonanomi doubled the lead five minutes later with another brilliant goal. Before the break, however, Cittadella pulled one back through an unfortunate own goal by Mirra.

Cittadella continued to push after the restart and called Anelli into action on several occasions, with the Nerazzurri goalkeeper always alert. The Granata eventually found the equaliser in the 60th minute, when Rabbi completed his brace after the ball was played into the box. The U23s looked to respond and came close to regaining the lead in the 71st minute through Zanaboni, who did well to create space for himself inside the area before seeing his effort turned behind by the goalkeeper. Neither side managed to find a winner in the closing stages, with the score remaining 2-2 at the end of regulation time and sending the tie to penalties. Cittadella prevailed 4-3 from the spot to advance to the second round, 6-5 on aggregate.

CITTADELLA 6-5 ATALANTA U23s (2-2 after regulation time)

Scorers: Steffanoni 35 (A), Bonanomi 40 (A), Mirra (own goal) 45 (C), Rabbi 60 (C)

Penalty shootout: Levak (A) saved, Ekuban (C) saved, Misitano (A) missed, Fabbro (C) scored, Mirra (A) scored, Sangalli (C) missed, De Nipoti (A) scored, Ndrecka (C) scored, Zanaboni (A) saved, D'Alessio (C) missed, Steffanoni (A) scored, Paolucci (C) scored, Navarro (A) missed, Martella (C) scored.

Cittadella: Zanellati, Toffanin, Barberis (Sangalli 86), Anastasia (Ekuban 64), Falcinelli (C) (Ihnatov 86), D'Alessio, Rabbi (Fabbro 76), Paolucci, Cecchetto (Gobbato 64), Ndrecka, Martella. Unused subs: Maniero, Sommacal, Bunino, Crialese, Zilio, Redolfi, Ceccarelli. Coach: Roberto Musso.

Atalanta U23s: Anelli, Plaia, Manzoni (Pounga 69), Bonanomi (De Nipoti 82), Mirra, Guerini (Idele 58), Steffanoni, Ghislandi (C) (Misitano 82), Navarro, Camara (Zanaboni 69), Levak. Unused subs: Bertini, Bugli, Ruiz, Isoa, Leandri, Bergonzi, Puljić, Rinaldi, Pedretti, Mencaraglia. Coach: Nicola Beati.

Referee: Alessio Vincenzi from Bologna;
Assistant referees: Filippo Todaro from Finale Emilia and Matteo Lauri from Modena;
Fourth official: Michele Maccorin from Pordenone;

Notes: Bonanomi (A), Levak (A) booked