Exclusive report & pictures from Atalanta vs City!

City`s latest match took me to Bergamo, Italy as City contested the "Achille E Cesare Bortolotti" against Serie A side Atalanta on a cold Thursday night.

Approximately 3,000 fans (of whom only 5 were from Hull that we could see!) saw an entertaining 2-2 draw before Atalanta won the trophy for the 11th time following a 3-1 penalty shoot-out win.

Getting to Atalanta was easy, flying out with Ryanair on Wednesday afternoon from Stanstead, London and arriving in Bergamo at 6.30pm local time. The City itself is separated into two, the old and the new town, with our hotel "San Lorenzo" being cited in the historic old town - in the heart of a delightful maze of intertwined cobbled roads that were well worth a morning`s exploration on the Thursday before the game.



Phil (aka South Bank Tiger on Vital Hull) had recommended a visit to Tucans in Bergamo - a traditional Irish pub hidden amongst traditional Italian shops on a Bergamo street. A midday drink on the day of the match was refreshing, before a meal at the local Pizzeria of which there was plenty of choice to suit all tastes.



From the park of remembrance located at one of the higher points of Bergamo`s old town, the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d`Italia was clearly noticeable, and within a comfortable half an hour walk of our hotel. Heading down for 5.30 it was noticeable how few fans were in attendance, with the stewards and local police - Carabinieri - outnumbering any early gatherers, of which there were few.

As was suggested by the club, the ticket office (eventually found on the other side of the road from the stadium) took all passport details of the travelling fans before selling tickets for the "Curva Sud" - A supposed away end that became filled with vociferous but largely friendly Atalanta supporters. At just 5 Euros a ticket, the match was very affordable - The priciest ticket for the home supporter was 20 Euro.



The ground slowly filled before we found our only other City supporter who had been sent into a different section from the Curva Sud - A lone flag resembled our support as City started to warm up in-front of our end.

The stadium itself is an open bowl, heavily scrawled with the writing of various "Ultras" groups on the outside. One side is built up and covered whilst the remainder is a continuous open oval, surrounded by clear perspex and metal dividers between different sections of the crowds. Few of the stands had seats, with the Curva Sud a concrete terrace (although home fans had prior knowledge and brought their own padded cushions.)

With City missing nine players on international duty, Phil Brown had the chance to mix his squad and test out new formations. Arriving at the stadium just before 7pm, City trotted out to the Curva Sud with several youngsters in their ranks. Will Atkinson, Liam Cooper, Nicky Featherstone and Tom Cairney all played prominent parts whilst the likes of George Boateng and Ibrahima Sonko were given another chance to impress.



The only tactical surprise came as Scottish under 19 defender Liam Cooper was deployed at left-back, although the young man did well. The first-half team lined up as follows before City made several second half substitutes;

Warner

Mendy Sonko Mouyokolo Cooper

Garcia Boateng Marney Atkinson

Geovanni JVOH

For much of the first half, City were able to pass the ball neatly between the defence and midfield, but there was no cutting edge in the final third. Early pressure from the hosts paid dividends in the eleventh minute as Atalanta took the lead. Boateng`s poor pass was directed straight to Atalanta`s Tiboni who side footed low past Warner`s right.

That chance proved to be Atalanta`s main effort of a mediocre first-half. When City did have chances, Marney shot wide and Geovanni looped an effort wide as City looked for an equaliser. A tactical change to move Garcia to right-back and Mendy to right midfield appeared to provide immediate dividend but the Frenchman saw his effort ruled out for offside.



City made two changes at the start of the second half, replacing Jan Venegoor of Hesselink who suffered from a lack of service and Liam Cooper with Nicky Featherstone and Andy Dawson. Featherstone was pushed in-behind the advancing Geovanni, although later on in the game the City youngster dropped into the right hand side of the four man midfielder as Australian Richard Garcia moved up-front.

Tom Cairney was then introduced for Atkinson as City looked to build on their growing dominance. The young midfielder excelled in the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d`Italia as he appeared unfazed by his unfamiliar surroundings, linking the gap between defence and attack and spraying delightful balls around the pitch. With his talents already being shown in the reserves, it may not be long until we see Cairney involved in more match day squads.

Unlike the first half, City were starting to have an edge in the final third, with neat interplay starting to bring City chance after chance. After three consecutive corners, Geovanni`s cross from City`s left hand side was headed in by Garcia, whose move into the central attacking role revitalised City`s forward play.

Atalanta were visibly rattled by the equaliser, with keeper Coppola always looking nervy. By the time the second half had arrived, the previously quiet crowd had erupted into vocal life, strongly supporting the home side. Following Garcia`s equaliser, the first of two flares in the far end emerged, sending fans darting away from the terraces. Their strong support was rewarded with what appeared to be the winner as Konan headed in from close range on 89 minutes.



A defeat would have been harsh for Brown`s side who did have chances to take the lead. Fagan`s introduction for Geovanni was the final substitution shortly after Garcia`s first goal, and Fagan went close with a drive from the edge of the area. A few dubious refereeing decisions could have seen Fagan win a penalty for City, although the referee was in lenient mood, especially as the Italians would fall to the ground at any given opportunity.

Garcia could have even extended City`s lead, forcing a good near post save as the ball eluded everyone other that the Australian at the far post before Sonko`s looping header almost caught Coppola unaware - the keeper just turning the ball around the post for a corner.

After Konan`s header, City equalised again after good approach play, Fagan`s cross this time from the left headed in with almost identical precision as Garcia proved his worth as a first-team player.

Not knowing that the match would go to penalties, we had to wait to see what was happening after the full-time whistle. The ensuing penalties were held at the far end from the Curva Sud, in-front of the majority of the Atalanta supporters.

The home side took first, Bellini scoring past Warner whilst Bernard Mendy struck his penalty viciously but at the crossbar. Bonaventura then saw his penalty saved by Warner who dived to his right before Fagan levelled the scores at 1-1.

It was however Atalanta who emerged victorious, Tiboni chipping in past Warner whilst Dawson had his effort saved. Layun`s goal meant George Boateng had to score but the Dutchman shot his penalty against the post, much to the delight of the surrounding Atalanta fans, who then revelled in their on-field trophy celebrations just in-front of the main stand.

Although some have questioned the match being played, having seen City`s performance, it can only have benefitted the side. With the youngsters getting a good run-out against European opposition, and with the likes of Mendy and Garcia being given further chances to impress, City could now be in a stronger position heading into next week`s mach with West Ham United at the KC Stadium.

The walk back to the hotel was all uphill through the Bergamo old town, but that wasn`t a bad thing given the chilly evening spent on the concrete terrace. A flight back and here we are, anxious to see whether City can build on victory over Stoke and promise in Italy with a fourth home win of the season against West Ham.



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