Who knows what the state of mind would have been Mateo Retegui after his first Serie A hat-trick after executing his former team. Seven goals in seven games, practically the same ones scored against Genoa: incredible numbers from a striker taken to replace Gianluca Scamacca and immediately entered Gian Piero Gasperini’s rotations.
What was surprising was the flexibility of a player capable of playing multiple roles. First you defend, then you attack or tie up the game, with quick movements and first touches, like in the first half with the Grifone, a first touch that De Ketelaere understood an instant too late. The (right) choice makes it clear how much harmony there is between the Belgian and the Italian-Argentinian, two who manage to duet even better if accompanied by Lookman. And the result, beyond the hat-trick, is the natural consequence of an offensive game, necessarily to be developed with the collective.
And more than a gamble, the Retegui operation was conducted with criteria, aiming to steal one of the best around in Serie A. Scamacca’s terrible injury on Saturday 4 August, between Monday and Tuesday the attack for Retegui, with 25 millions of euros put on the table, a significant economic outlay. However, the desire was to replace the former West Ham striker with a big name, in the national team and already an expert in the Italian championship, therefore able to fit in immediately. However, the investment paid off a lot: three goals yesterday, seven in total. And the double digits are already close to the beginning of October. Without neglecting Baggio and Balotelli’s record on sprint starts, only Luis Muriel did better (8 goals in 7 matches). Always with Atalanta.