Atalanta Dominates Cesena in Coppa Italia Round of 16

Atalanta demonstrated their superiority with a resounding 6-1 win against Serie B team Cesena in the Coppa Italia Round of 16 on Wednesday evening. The match saw impressive performances from Davide Zappacosta, Charles De Ketelaere, Lazar Samardzic, and Marco Brescianini, who all contributed to the scoreline. Despite a late consolation goal from Joseph Ceesay, Atalanta’s victory was never in doubt.

Coach Gian Piero Gasperini fielded a strong starting lineup, featuring Serie A’s top scorer alongside Samardzic and De Ketelaere in attack. The team’s only notable absence was Ademola Lookman, the recently crowned African Player of the Year, who watched from the sidelines.

Atalanta wasted no time in asserting their dominance, with Zappacosta opening the scoring just four minutes into the game. De Ketelaere doubled the lead shortly after, and Samardzic added a third before the half-hour mark. The team continued to press their advantage, with De Ketelaere scoring again and Brescianini adding a fifth from a well-executed free-kick routine.

Samardzic completed his brace in the 71st minute, bringing Atalanta’s tally to six. Cesena managed to score a consolation goal in the final minute through Ceesay, but it did little to dampen Atalanta’s spirits.

With this convincing victory, Atalanta secures their place in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, where they will face Bologna away from home on February 5, 2025.

Final Score: Atalanta 6-1 Cesena

Scorers: Zappacosta (A) 4′, De Ketelaere (A) 8′, 35′, Samardzic (A) 27′, 71′, Brescianini 54′ (A), Ceesay (C) 90′