Renate secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Atalanta U23 on March 3, 2025, during their Serie C NOW Group A matchup held at the Città di Meda stadium. The only goal of the match was scored by Riccardo Bocalon in the first half, showcasing the forward’s strength and skill as he capitalized on defensive errors.
The match commenced at 20:30 CET, with both teams eager to improve their standings as the season progresses. Renate, coached by Luciano Foschi, set up defensively in a 3-5-2 formation, hoping to restrict Atalanta’s attacking flow, which has traditionally been potent throughout the season.
Atalanta U23, under the guidance of coach Francesco Modesto, fielded their usual competitive lineup, but struggled to find their rhythm as the game progressed. They started the match well, showcasing good ball possession and high pressing tactics, but as the match unfolded, they often found themselves thwarted by Renate's solid defense.
Early on, Atalanta had promising chances; Bergonzi's cross found Scheffer, but his header went narrowly off target. The match's first notable scoring opportunity came to Renate when Vassallo attempted to connect from distance—but Vismara, Atalanta's keeper, denied the effort.
By the 28th minute, Bocalon managed to break the deadlock, receiving a long pass from goalkeeper Nobile. Showing exceptional strength, Bocalon outmuscled Obric and sent the ball past Vismara from close range, marking his third goal of the season. The goal shifted the momentum of the match firmly to Renate, who began to build on their lead.
Despite going down, Atalanta continued to apply pressure, but their execution was lacking, particularly when it came to converting opportunities. This was exemplified when they were awarded a penalty for handball during the second half. Panada stepped up to take the penalty kick, but Nobile anticipated the shot, making an impressive save to preserve Renate's lead.
Following the penalty miss, Atalanta attempted to regroup. Modesto made tactical changes by introducing Lonardo and Ceseroli, which momentarily revitalized their attack. Unfortunately, as they pushed for the equalizer, they found Renate’s organized defense continuously effective, led by the commanding presence of Nobile.
Throughout the match, Vismara played exceptionally well for Atalanta, making several key saves, including one from Vassallo's shot just outside the box. The game featured numerous moments of quality contributions from both teams but remained tightly contested, with Renate focusing on their defensive format and exploitative counter-attacks.
Despite Atalanta's attempts to find their footing, the game concluded with Renate holding on to their narrow victory, showcasing resilience and tactical discipline. Coach Foschi expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus and solidifying their position as they look toward playoff spots.
With this result, Renate secures valuable points as the season enters its final stretches, moving closer to their playoff ambitions. Meanwhile, Atalanta U23 will need to reflect on their missed opportunities as they prepare for their upcoming matches. Both teams now face important challenges as they strive to improve their standings before the season concludes.