Atalanta solidified their grip on third place in Serie A on Sunday with a crucial 2-0 home win over Champions League hopefuls Bologna, ending a recent poor run of form and boosting their European qualification ambitions.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s men made a flying start at the Gewiss Stadium, with Mateo Retegui tapping in a third-minute opener — his 26th goal of the season in all competitions. The Italy international then turned provider, delivering a pinpoint cross for Mario Pasalic to volley home Atalanta’s second in the 21st minute.
The goals ended a three-match scoring drought and marked Atalanta’s first home league goals since early February.
“I’m happy because it had been a few months that we’d not won here,” said Pasalic after the game. “Scoring straight away really helped us because it gives you more freedom to play. We need to make our home matches count in the final weeks of the season.”
Ending home hoodoo
Atalanta had not won a Serie A match in Bergamo since before Christmas, but they produced a mature, composed performance to snap that streak against a Bologna side that had been flying high under Vincenzo Italiano.
Bologna, who had claimed five wins in their last six league matches, were unable to recover from the early setback and struggled to impose themselves despite recent strong form, including a hard-fought draw with second-placed Napoli last weekend.
Injury concerns for Gasperini
The only blemish on an otherwise perfect day for Atalanta was the first-half injury to defender Sead Kolasinac, who was stretchered off with a suspected knee issue. The Bosnian has endured a difficult season with fitness, and his latest setback adds to Atalanta’s growing list of injury concerns.
Champions League race heats up
Atalanta now sit four points above Bologna in the Serie A standings, tightening their grip on third place in the race for two remaining Champions League spots, with Inter and Napoli seemingly assured of qualification.
Later on Sunday, the battle for Europe continues as Claudio Ranieri takes charge of his final Rome derby, with Roma set to face Lazio. Roma sit seventh, six points adrift of fourth-placed Juventus, while Lazio are just two points ahead of their city rivals in sixth.
