Como-Atalanta 1-2, Retegui's brace knocks out the Larians

Como, January 25, 2025 – After a month of fasting, Atalanta returns to success in Serie A and does so by defeating Sinigaglia di Como 2-1. Gasperini's men certainly did not display the sparkling game and brilliance of their best days, but they showed the concreteness worthy of a great team, overturning a match that had started off decidedly uphill: the first 45 minutes were in fact dominated by the home team, who showed greater energy and dynamism, taking the lead after half an hour thanks to a beautiful goal from an unstoppable Nico Paz. After the half-time break, however, the music changed because the changes made by Gasperini gave a new face to the Orobic team: The game was split in two by the entrance of Brescianini, who in the 56th and 70th minute provided a glacial Retegui with the two assists for the goals that allowed Atalanta, capable of managing the lead with personality and confidence towards the end, to pull off the coup..  

First half

At the start of the match, Atalanta tried to take control of the game, but did so with many imprecisions and a ball possession that seemed rather sterile and slow, in the face of a Como that on the contrary pressed very effectively and covered themselves carefully to then try to deploy in the open field and find the right spaces. Mister Fabregas' men showed energy and zero fear, managing to gain the upper hand as the minutes passed despite the loss of Alberto Moreno due to injury, forced to raise the white flag at 26' and make way for Jack. An unexpected event that Como faced with personality, taking the lead at the half hour: the action is textbook and leads Fadera, good at overlapping on the left, to serve an unstoppable Nico Paz in the heart of the area to pierce Carnesecchi with a powerful left-footed volley. Everything initially seems to be ruined by a possible offside by Fadera, but then the VAR rectifies the initial decision and causes Sinigaglia to scream. After conceding the goal, Atalanta struggles to react and so in the final quarter of an hour of the first half Como can control the game without taking excessive risks, returning to the locker room with a precious one-goal advantage.

Second half

After the break, Gasperini opts for a double substitution: a hard blow received at the end of the first half puts De Roon offside, replaced by De Ketelaere, while Bellanova takes Zappacosta's place. Despite the substitutions, however, it is Como - who especially on the left flank manages to make the difference - who starts off on the right foot, first putting pressure on Carnesecchi who narrowly misses the clearance and then with two high conclusions by Strefezza and Perrone. Gasperini then decides to draw from the bench again and also includes Ruggeri and Brescianini. The impact of the former Frosinone and Milan player is devastating because, just 1' after entering the field, Brescianini takes centre stage by sending in a perfect cross from the left, which Retegui capitalises on by scoring the equaliser with a beautiful volley (the fourth in a row for the Nerazzurri striker). The inertia of the match suddenly changes and Atalanta – having switched to a substantial 4-2-4 – takes control of the game: not even the additions of Cutrone and Caqueret are enough to rekindle a Como that is out of breath and in the 69th minute capitulates again when Lookman, served by a through ball with the rev counter of Ederson, scores with a conclusion that first hits the post. However, everything is ruined by a slight offside position of the Nigerian. Como can breathe a sigh of relief, but it can do nothing when a minute later Retegui, served once again by Brescianini, scores his second goal and puts Atalanta ahead.. A very hard blow for Fabregas' team who tries to give a boost by first bringing on Caqueret and Cutrone and then Belotti. The Lariani react and show up near Carnesecchi with a left-footed shot that goes just wide from Paz, who then serves Cutrone with a cross-shot who ties the score a few steps from the opponent's goal but does so in a clear offside position. A similar fate to that which befalls De Ketelaere in the 77th minute, author of the 3-1 but after having slightly grazed the ball with his arm on a favorable rebound. A decision that gives a bit of confidence to the home team, who try to close the match on the front but without worrying an Atalanta who defends with great order and precision. The scoreboard: Como (3-4-3): Butez; Engelhardt, Dossena, Kempf (from 74' Belotti); Fadera, Perrone (from 68' Caqueret), Da Cunha, Moreno (from 26' Jack); Strefezza (from 68' Cutrone), Diao, Paz. All. Fabregas. Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini (from 56' Brescianini), Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Cuadrado (from 55' Ruggeri), Ederson, De Roon (45' De Ketelaere), Zappacosta (from 45' Bellanova); Samardzic, Lookman (from 78' Toloi); Retegui. Coach Gasperini. Scorers: Nico Paz (Como 30'), Retegui (Atalanta 56' and 70') Note - Yellow cards: Lookman, Jack, Brescianini, Samardzic.