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Atalanta reignited their push for Champions League qualification with a crucial 2-0 victory over Bologna on Sunday, holding firm in third place in Serie A.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side struck twice early on in Bergamo, ending a barren run of three consecutive defeats and scoring droughts, to move four points clear of fifth-placed Bologna.
Mateo Retegui opened the scoring just three minutes into the match with a simple tap-in—his 26th goal of the season across all competitions.
The Italian international then turned provider in the 21st minute, delivering a pinpoint cross for Mario Pasalic to volley home his first league goal since November.
The early double gave Atalanta a vital cushion, and despite Bologna’s strong recent form, the hosts delivered a composed performance to secure all three points. It marked their first home league win since before Christmas and their first goal at the Gewiss Stadium since early February.
Credit: Spada/LaPresse via AP
“I’m happy because it had been a few months since we’d won here. We need to make our home matches count in these final weeks,” said Pasalic. “Scoring straight away helped us because it gives you more freedom to play.”
The result halted Bologna’s impressive momentum. Vincenzo Italiano’s men had won five of their previous six games and came into the match off the back of a battling draw against second-placed Napoli.
The only dampener for Atalanta was the injury to Sead Kolasinac, who was stretchered off with a knee issue shortly before halftime. The Bosnian defender joins a growing injury list that has plagued Gasperini’s side throughout the campaign.
Later on Sunday, Claudio Ranieri was due to oversee his final Rome derby as Roma and Lazio, both chasing Champions League qualification, prepared to face off.
Roma sat seventh, six points adrift of fourth-placed Juventus, while Lazio held a two-point edge over their city rivals in sixth.
