Italian Serie A teams commenced their pre-season with several friendly matches today, July 26, as they prepare for the upcoming season. Among the notable games, Atalanta faced an unexpected challenge from their U23 squad, while Udinese, Torino, and Genoa secured impressive victories.
Atalanta`s Narrow Win Against Youth Side
Under the guidance of new coach Ivan Juric, Atalanta played an internal friendly against their own Under-23 team, which is set to compete in Serie C this season. Despite expectations for a comfortable win, the senior squad managed only a narrow 1-0 victory. The decisive goal came late in the game from substitute Charles De Ketelaere, assisted by Mario Pasalic. Ademola Lookman, a rumored transfer target for Inter, was notably absent from the match due to a muscular issue, officially cited as the reason.
Udinese Dominates Qatar National Team
Udinese demonstrated a stronger and more convincing performance in their pre-season fixture, clinching a comprehensive 3-0 victory over the Qatar national team. Goals for Udinese were scored by Keinan Davis, Iker Bravo, and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, collectively showcasing their attacking prowess and readiness.
Torino Overpowers Newly-Promoted Cremonese
Torino delivered a dominant display, effectively sweeping aside newly-promoted Cremonese with a commanding 4-1 victory. A significant highlight of the match was a spectacular long-range volley from Ivan Ilic, which found the back of the net from well outside the penalty area. Additional goals for Torino came from Che Adams, who capitalized on a defensive error, Adrien Tameze with a well-placed header, and Bianay Balcot. Cremonese managed a consolation goal from De Luca, but their defensive efforts appeared notably vulnerable, particularly given the challenging conditions under heavy rain.
Genoa`s Determined Comeback Victory
Genoa faced a tougher challenge in their match against Mantova, eventually securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory. They found themselves trailing 1-0 at halftime, but demonstrated resilience and determination by mounting a spirited comeback in the second half. Goals from Alessandro Marcandalli, Lorenzo Venturino, and Morten Thorsby ensured Genoa`s win, highlighting their ability to turn the game around.
