Retegui hits 24 but it's a 1-1 stalemate with Lecce
Honours even at Gewiss Stadium on MD34
Spoils were shared as the 2024/25 Serie A Enilive MD34 against Lecce ended in a 1-1 draw. Holding firmly onto third place, the Nerazzurri rise to 65 points in the standings.
Prior to kick-off, the Gewiss Stadium paid its respect to the memory of the late Pope Francis and US Lecce physiotherapist Graziano Fiorita. After a handful of Atalanta chances in the opening minutes of the game, Lecce threatened in close succession with Coulibaly (24th minute) and Karlsson (29th minute), both denied by Carnesecchi. On 29 minutes, the visitors took the lead with Karlsson, who converted the penalty previously signalled by VAR and then awarded following on field review. On 35 minutes, Pašalić tested Falcone with a well-struck effort from the edge of the box. In injury time, Falcone defused quickfire attempts from Lookman and Zappacosta.
While the visitors opened the second half on the offensive as Pierotti finished on the side netting from a good striking position in the 56th, Retegui returned in kind 2 minutes later as his volley flew wide to the side. The equalizer came in the 69th: with Atalanta being awarded a penalty as Cuadrado was brought down into the box, a cool Retegui stepped up from the spot, beefing up his tally to 24. Atalanta's 32 neared the double in 2 odd minutes, when his header off Zappacosta's cross smashed the post before Éderson's sortie (in the 73rd) got staved off by Falcone. Zappacosta tried his luck in the 86th, valleying the ball out wide. Despite the Nerazzurri throwing everything they had in pursuit of the tie-breaker, Lecce stood still: 1-1 at full time.
ATALANTA 1-1 LECCE
Scorers: Karlsson 29 pen (L), Retegui 69 pen (A).
Atalanta: Carnesecchi, Kossounou (Ruggeri 59), Hien, Djimsiti, Bellanova (Cuadrado 46), de Roon, Éderson (Samardžić 80), Zappacosta, Pašalić (De Ketelaere 64), Retegui (Maldini 80), Lookman. Unused bench: Rui Patrício, Rossi, Toloi, Sulemana, Brescianini. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Lecce: Falcone, Guilbert, Gaspar, Baschirotto, Gallo, Coulibaly, Kaba, Pierotti (Veiga 76), Pierret (Ramadani 85), Karlsson (Helgason 70), Rebic (Burnete 85). Unused bench: Fruchtl, Samooja, Rafia, N'Dri, Banda, Tiago Gabriel, Sala. Coach: Marco Giampaolo.
Referee: Federico La Penna di Roma 1;
Assistant referees: Marcello Rossi from Biella and Dario Cecconi from Empoli;
Fourth official: Mario Perri from Roma 1;
V.A.R.: Daniele Chiffi from Padua;
A.V.A.R.: Gianluca Aureliano from Bologna.
Notes: Gallo (L), Zappacosta (A) booked