The 9th Honvéd Motherson & Vulcan Shield Cup kicked off at noon on Thursday with Atalanta against Maribor. The first serious chance fell to the Italians, when Manilo Carone's shot after a cross from the right flashed only centimetres wide.
In the 10th minute Stefano Montalbano was fouled inside the penalty area and the Bergamo side were awarded a spot-kick. Carone stepped up and although Ismar Kopic guessed the direction, he could not keep it out (1–0). Davide Merelli shot after a superb sequence of dribbles, but Kopic produced a fine save and then did the same from the rebound. In the 18th minute Carone threatened the Slovenian goal again, with Kopic once more winning their duel.
In the 25th minute the lightning-fast Luca Arzuffi burst down the right and delivered an excellent cross, which Carone – scoring his second – smashed into the roof of the net, giving Kopic no chance (2–0).
Atalanta remained the more proactive side late in the first half, although Maribor also pushed forward with determination. Alex Alberto Magrin, Arzuffi, Montalbano and Carone were all particularly active. Both teams tried to freshen things up after the break, and perhaps Maribor managed that better. The defenders had to make several last-ditch interventions. In the 44th minute Husko Nuhanovic crossed and Lazic arrived, but Magoni made an excellent save with his foot.
HONVÉD CUP, 2025/26, GROUP B, ROUND 1
Atalanta BC–NK Maribor 2–0 (2–0)
Budapest Honvéd Academy, 200 spectators. Referee: László Fekete (Marcell Mindák, Domonkos Salamon).
Atalanta: Magoni – Danza, Damioli, Merelli, Magrin, Dos Santos, Zanotti, Arzuffi, Gieachetti, Carone, Montalbano.
Substitutes: Ferrraresso, Fradegrada, Turla, Prendi, Giustacchini Ribeiro, Bellei, Morandin, Bosatelli. Head coach: Alfonso Esposito
Maribor: Klopic – Perkovic, Breznik, Sirec, Hribar, Kristan, Macukat, Nuhanovic, Kores, Lavric, Sever.
Substitutes: Skok, Lazic, Kocbek, Grimm, Kirsanov, Bartolj, Rezar. Head coach: Matevz Potocnik
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