U23, Amerighi's first goal not enough, 1 - 1 against Cittadella

Inter U23 postponed their return to winning ways once again. Away at Cittadella, the Nerazzurri collected their fifth draw in the last seven matches. It was a positive start from Vecchi’s side, who first had a La Gumina goal ruled out for offside and then took the lead in the 10th minute: from wing to wing, Kamate delivered a cross to the far post where Amerighi burst in and, after Saro produced a miracle save on his first attempt, made no mistake with the tap-in into an empty net. It was the winger’s first Inter goal since his arrival in the winter transfer window. Inter rode the momentum and, 180 seconds later, nearly doubled their advantage through Topalovic, whose right-footed effort went wide by just a few centimetres. In truth, the Nerazzurri allowed Cittadella only one chance in the first half, albeit a dangerous one: on the half-hour mark, Castelli’s first-time strike skimmed the top corner with Calligaris able only to watch.

Thirty seconds into the second half, Inter immediately had the chance to double their lead, with Topalovic breaking through onside only to be denied by Saro’s desperate rush off his line. From that moment on, the hosts raised the level of their performance and created important opportunities, especially in the 67th minute when Vita spared Calligaris by heading over from the heart of the six-yard box. With 15 minutes remaining, Vecchi’s men had the chance to seal the game through Spinaccè who, fed by Berenbruch, made a well-timed run but fired over. Cittadella pushed forward again in search of the equaliser and, with eight minutes to go, their pressure paid off: a cross from Rizza on the left, a flick-on by Bunino and a close-range finish from Rabbi beat an innocent Calligaris. It ended 1-1, a result that left a bitter taste for the Nerazzurri, who saw their return to winning ways slip away in the closing stages.

CITTADELLA 1-1 INTER U23 | IL TABELLINO

Goals: 10' Amerighi (I), 82' Rabbi (C)

CITTADELLA (3-5-2): 23 Saro; 4 Angeli, 36 Zilio (17 Perretta 46'), 55 Redolfi; 19 D'Alessio, 10 Casolari, 16 Vita (90 Bunino 77'), 27 Stronati (7 Anastasia 60'), 32 Ghezzi (28 Rizza 46'); 21 Rabbi, 99 Castelli (9 Diaw 84'). Subs.: 1 Maniero, 5 Barberis, 14 Crialese, 40 Gobbato, 44 Gatti, 77 Ihnatov. Coach: Manuel Iori

INTER U23 (3-5-2): 91 Calligaris; 46 Cinquegrano, 15 Stante, 5 Alexiou; 10 Kamate (24 Re Cecconi 90+1'), 37 Kaczmarski, 14 Bovo (8 Fiordilino 79'), 9 Topalovic (44 Berenbruch 72'), 77 Amerighi (3 Cocchi 79'); 11 Agbonifo (7 Spinaccè 72'), 20 La Gumina. Subs.: 1 Melgrati, 12 Raimondi, 4 Zanchetta, 16 Venturini, 21 Zouin, 25 David, 34 Iddrissou, 39 Bovio. Coach: Stefano Vecchi.

Booked: Casolari (C), Amerighi (I), Ghezzi (C), Perretta (C), Berenbruch (I)

Stoppage time: 3' - 7'

Referee: Colaninno (sez. Nola) Linesmen: Cozzuto - Cirillo Fourth Official: Migliorini FVS Operator: Pandolfo