Vado 2-0 Atalanta U23s

Atalanta U23’s league campaign began with defeat as the Nerazzurri fell 2-0 away to Vado, with two first-half goals proving decisive.

The first attempt of the game came from Atalanta in the 3rd minute, when Bonanomi smartly won the ball back near the Vado box before seeing his effort blocked by the home defence. The hosts responded immediately through Lazzarini, whose strike from outside the area was deflected behind for a corner. On 32 minutes, Ghislandi looked to pick out Camara with a looping cross that turned into a dangerous effort, the ball bouncing just over the bar. A minute later came the U23s’ best chance: Bonanomi cut inside from the right after beating his man and perfectly teed up Manzoni, whose first-time effort flew narrowly over. Vado, however, broke the deadlock in the 34th minute. Following a cross and a scramble inside the box, Lazzarini turned and found the finish to put the hosts ahead. The home side then doubled their lead in the 44th minute through Simonetta, whose right-footed strike from outside the area left no chance.

The game became tighter after the restart, with chances at a premium. On 59 minutes, Steffanoni looked to get Atalanta back into the contest after a fine burst towards the box, but his effort missed the target. Deep into stoppage time, in the 95th minute, Zanaboni found the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

VADO 2-0 ATALANTA U23s

Reti: Lazzarini 34 (V), Simonetta 44 (V)

Vado: Sala, Dellepiane, Saltarelli, Simonetta (Ferro 62), Vita (C) (Cernigoi 62), Lazzarini, Piana, De Rinaldis, Di Munno, Saiani (Rosa 64), Lionetti. Unused bench: Calvani, Bellocci, Tampieri, Lischetti, Costantino, Candiano, Tiana. Coach: Matteo Pastorino.

Atalanta U23s: Anelli, Idele (De Nipoti 57), Plaia, Manzoni (Misitano 57), Bonanomi (Diao 82), Mirra, Steffanoni, Ghislandi (C) (Guerini 82), Navarro, Camara (Zanaboni 65), Levak. Unused bench: Bugli, Bertini, Pounga, Isoa, Leandri, Bergonzi, Puljić, Rinaldi, Pedretti, Mencaraglia. Coach: Nicola Beati.

Referee: Giacomo Rossini from Turin;
Assistant referees: Gheorghe Mititelu from Turin and Paolo Fumagallo from Novara;
Fourth official: Giovanni Castellino from Nichelino;
FVS operator: Nicola Di Meo from Nichelino.

Notes: Lazzarini (V), Steffanoni (A) booked.