Reggina recovery stuns Atalanta

Reggina Calcio recovered from going a goal down to defeat Atalanta BC 2-1 tonight and on aggregate in their Serie A relegation play-off to condemn the home side to the drop along with Como Calcio, Torino Calcio and Piacenza FC.

Heavy rain
After drawing 0-0 at Reggina's Oreste Granillo stadium last Thursday, Atalanta knew that a home win at the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia stadium would see them remain in Italy's top flight next season. In a match postponed yesterday due to heavy rain, Atalanta went ahead in the 17th minute when defender Cesare Natali struck from close range.

Lucky leveller
Massimo Taibi had been Atalanta's hero in the first leg, but he was powerless to stop Reggina drawing level in the 32nd minute when he was beaten by Francesco Cozza after the goalkeeper's save rebounded back off the midfield player and into the net.

Memorable winner
Chances continued to be created at either end after the break, with Reggina keeper Emanuele Belardi making a superb save to deny Carmine Gautieri in the 77th minute. Soon after, in the 84th minute, Reggina scored a memorable winning goal through Emiliano Bonazzoli, who fizzed in a left-foot shot from just outside the box.

'Great fans'
Reggina coach Luigi De Canio was justifiably ecstatic after the match. "Before the match I told my players that we had to play with a different mentality because during the season we have always struggled in away matches," he said. "We really wanted this victory and we have shown our great mental strength. However, I just want to thank our great fans - without their great passion this result would have not been possible."