Atalanta tightened their grip on third place in Serie A on Sunday with a crucial 2–0 victory over Champions League rivals Bologna, ending a three-match losing streak and reigniting their push for a top-four finish.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side struck early at the Gewiss Stadium, with Mateo Retegui tapping in the opener just three minutes in—his 26th goal in all competitions this season. The Italy forward then turned provider in the 21st minute, delivering a superb cross for Mario Pasalic to volley home his first league goal since November.
Those quickfire goals were Atalanta’s first in a home league game since early February and sealed their first Serie A win in Bergamo since before Christmas.
“I’m happy because we hadn’t won at home for months,” said Pasalic after the match. “Scoring early gave us confidence and freedom to play.”
The result leaves Atalanta four points clear of fifth-placed Bologna, who had been in fine form under Vincenzo Italiano with five wins in their previous six matches. Last week, Bologna earned a creditable draw against title-chasing Napoli, but struggled to recover from Atalanta’s early double blow.
The only setback for the hosts was the loss of defender Sead Kolasinac, who was stretchered off just before halftime with a knee injury—another blow in a season plagued by fitness issues.
Later on Sunday, attention turns to the capital as Claudio Ranieri prepares for his final Rome derby, with Lazio and Roma both chasing a late surge into the Champions League places. Roma sit seventh, six points behind fourth-placed Juventus, while Lazio are sixth, two points ahead of their city rivals.
AFP
