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Inter Milan’s Primavera were on the verge of getting crucial league win that would have seen them atop the standings, but instead a questionable penalty changed it all.
In extra time, the referee whistled a handball against Marco Sala that gave Atalanta a penalty and a subsequent 3-3 draw with Inter, keeping the Nerazzurri two points back of the Campionato Nazionale Primavera leaders.
”There are still plenty of games to go but it would have been a big win,” said Inter coach Stefano Vecchi to Inter TV. “We have to be better because we conceded avoidable goals but we lost two points today through no fault of our own.”
It was Nicolo Zaniolo who put Inter on the board first with a shot from Gabriele Zappa in the seventh minute.
But, Atalanta responded in rapid fashion later in the first half.
In the 20th minute, Thomas Bolis leveled the game with a shot right past Inter goalkeeper Vladan Dekic. Then, eight minutes later Lorenzo Migliorelli took a pass from Nivokazi Rilind to put Atalanta up 2-1.
Right before halftime, Inter found some rhythm with Jens Odgaard and Facundo Colidio working through Atalanta’s defense with Odgaard putting home the equalizer in the 39th minute.
Colidio and Odgaard Inter Primavera looking tasty in attack pic.twitter.com/l6n391vpRm
— InterYaSkriniar (@InterYaSkriniar) February 11, 2018
The Nerazzurri seemed to take the lead for good in the 66th minute after Zaniolo and Zappa worked the ball around the area and Zappa with a brilliant curling finish.
Gabriele Zappa what a goal Inter primavera are fun to watch Inter 3-2 Atalanta pic.twitter.com/st243IWza8
— InterYaSkriniar (@InterYaSkriniar) February 11, 2018
Manuel Lombardoni had a pair of chances to extend Inter’s lead, but could not reach Matteo Rover to finish either attempt.
Then, in extra time, Sala was whistled for handball in the area which Bolis converted to bring the game to a draw.
“It was a good match with an expansive mentality from both sides. It was too good a contest to be ruined by this final incident,” Vecchi said.
On Monday, Inter was drawn into Group 3 of the Viareggio Cup with A.P.I.A. Leichhardt (Australia), Parma and Nania (Ghana). Matches will be played March 12, March 14 and March 17.
Their next league match will be at 8:30 a.m. (ET) Friday, February 16 against Sampdoria.
Other Inter youth matches from the weekend:
UNDER 18 - BERRETTI
Saturday 10th February 2018 - Friendly
Torino 3-3 Inter (48’ Pelle, 60’ Lunghi, 67’ Gnoukouri)
UNDER 15 SERIE A and B
Saturday 10th February 2018 - Friendly
Inter 3-1 Parma (16’ La Torre, 69’ Pezzini, 80’ Gnonto)
UNDER 14 - GIOVANISSIMI REGIONALI
Sunday 11th February 2018 - Trofeo Caroli Hotels, Round of 16
Inter 2-2 Roma (3-2 on penalties) (25’ Savane, 70’ Marise)
WOMEN’S UNDER 16 - ALLIEVE 2002
Saturday 10th February 2018 - League, First match of second half of the season
Orobica-Inter 0-8 (24’, 26’ and 42’ Pastrenge, 37’ Vergani, 43’, 48’, 63’ and 73’ Marnegoni)
WOMEN‘S UNDER 15 - GIOVANISSIME 2003
Saturday 10th February 2018 - League, First match of second half of the season
Real Meda 0-10 Inter (14’, 16’, 27’ and 31’ Gallazzi, 18’ Mariani, 32’ and 47’ Berti, 50’ Avilia, 65’ Poli,71’ Gentile)
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