Atalanta illuminated on Sunday to a comfortable 2-0 win over Bologna, a result that coach Gian Piero Gasperini believes that it is worth “double” in the race for a top-four finish.
The most important scorer Mateo Retegui from Series A played in the win and helped his side race in a lead of two goals within just 21 minutes in the Gest Stadium.
Retegui broke the impasse for only three minutes and shot in the Net van Raoul Bellanova's Kruis to score his 23rd league goal of the season.
He then became the provider to set up Mario Pasalic for the second.
Atalanta only had four shots, but Bologna stopped the other way in the length of the arm, making Gasperini satisfied with the performance of his team while he caught some negative criticism that took on himself after a recent bad run.
“When you win games of this caliber, it feels like it's worth the table,” Gasperini told Dazn, where Atalanta started the day at just one point above Bologna.
“We are satisfied, after matches where we did not get the results we deserved, we know that this is also football.
“If you score so early, it brings you to a position to control the game.”
Gasperini's comments come after Atalanta collapsed on three defeats on the trot, all without finding the net, prior to their victory over Bologna.
“To be honest, I have trouble giving a negative view of our last few versions, despite the results, but today we were more solid and we have converted our chances,” Gasperini said.
After registering his 28th goal -oriented involvement of the season in the Serie A, Retegui was replaced in the 80th minute, although he did not seem to be happy to get off the field.
Gasperini was understanding of his frustration and added: “He played practically every match, except when he was injured, so of course more are replaced because it is important to have new legs in those roles.
“I thought it was Retegui's best performance this year, for his quality and intensity, he was a constant reference point for the rest of the team.”
Who else? #Bolognaatalanta #goatalantago pic.twitter.com/kbrq41aq9k
– Atalanta BC (@atalanta_BC “> @atalanta_bc) April 13, 2025
Retegui has now been involved in 28 league goals this season, after he has scored 23 and helped five.
Only Mohamed Salah (45), Harry Kane (30) and Omar Marmoush (30) have contributed to more goals in Europe's top five competitions in 2024-25.
In conversation with Dazn, Retegui reflected the feelings of his coach about the progress of Atalanta.
“We are very happy with this result, we have showed everyone that things are going well, and we have learned from the mistakes we have made. We hope to continue like this,” said Retegui.
“It is clear that I want to score goals in every match. I know it is difficult, but the most important thing is to win in the Champions League. If I reach 30 goals, it's fine.”
With four of their six remaining matches that come to teams in the bottom half of the table, the side of Gasperini have a favorable run-in.
They take the ninth placed AC Milan next weekend in San Siro, with a gap of 10 points that separates the two teams.
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