The Atalanta of Gian Piero Gasperini still launched. Leader of Serie A after a record streak in its history of ten consecutive wins, today it eliminated Cesena, from Serie B, with a conclusive 6-1 in the round of 16 of the Coppa Italia and its next rival in the quarterfinals, in February, it will be Bologna.
With the only score from last week’s defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League (2-3), Atalanta maintained a perfect trajectory and now confirmed its rare moment of form in its debut in this edition of the Coppa, after losing in the last final against Juventus (1-0).
Gasperini rested Ademola Lookmanwho received the African Ballon d’Or on Monday in Marrakech (Morocco), Ederson and Sead Kolasinac. Besides, Juan Cuadrado was authorized and Matteo Ruggeri, injured.
De Ketelaere and Samardzic double
Absences that went unnoticed against lowly Cesena, fifth in Serie B, for an Atalanta now led by the Belgian Charles De Ketelaere and the Serbian Lazar Samardzic, highlighted with doublets.
La Dea almost took ten minutes to practically seal the tie with goals from Davide Zappacosta after the rebound in the area (4′) and De Ketelaere after a good heel help Mateo Retegui (8′). The Argentine, Serie A’s leading scorer, did not score this time.
Before half an hour Samardzic made it 3-0 (27′) and at half-time it was 4-0 by sealing From Ketelaere his double (35′). In the second half Gasperini gradually retired De Ketelaere, Pasalic and even Rui Patricio, the usual substitute goalkeeper, to give 10 minutes to Francesco Rossi, 33-year-old veteran goalkeeper with almost any minutes since he arrived eight years ago as the third goalkeeper.
Marco Brescianini (54′) and Samardzic (71′) they finished the set, while Joseph Ceesay, In the 90th minute, he saved Cesena’s honor with a counterattack.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
