Gasperini: ‘Not the time’ to discuss Atalanta future, but hails Retegui record | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini reveals Mateo Retegui now owes Atalanta a special gift after breaking the club record in a 3-2 victory away to Genoa, but ‘now is not the right moment’ to discuss his future.

There was not much to play for at Marassi and both teams were ready to celebrate achieving their targets with at least two rounds to spare.

Andrea Pinamonti had twice put the Grifone in front by making the most of chaotic defending, only for Ibrahim Sulemana and Daniel Maldini to claw them back every time, until Mateo Retegui struck late on for the 3-2 victory.

That winner caused controversy, as Genoa wanted play stopped when Koni De Winter went down with a touch of cramp, but the move had already gone well beyond him in midfield and Retegui wasn’t even aware he was hurt.

“I won’t get into it, because there is the footage, anyone can see and judge. Fortunately, there was not much at stake here, but my players didn’t even realise he was down,” Gasperini told DAZN.

Gasperini reveals Retegui pledge

epa12111010 Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui (C, partially seen) scores the 2-3 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Genoa CFC and Atalanta BC, in Genoa, Italy, 17 May 2025. EPA-EFE/STRINGER

“Retegui has had an extraordinary season, I would’ve preferred he not score in this situation, but he has scored with his right foot, his left, his head, thanks also to the contribution of the team. His goals have been decisive for our campaign.”

The goal means Retegui has now set a new club record, breaking Pippo Inzaghi’s tally of 24 goals in a single Serie A season for Atalanta.

“Now Retegui has to pay for dinner, taking me and all his teammates out!”

Atalanta have also set the new club record for 13 away wins and 42 points on their travels, are one shy of their record 23 total victories in a season and one away from their best of 16 clean sheets.

Gasperini was asked if he would’ve preferred to stay in the Scudetto race for a bit longer or go further in the Champions League than the play-offs for the Round of 16?

“It was easier to do worse than this. I’m not sure how much better we could’ve done,” he shrugged.

“You have to look at the table, the fact we could play two rounds from the end with no concerns, looking at the clubs behind Atalanta with their budgets, enthusiasm and experience.”

Gasperini tight-lipped on Atalanta future

GENOA, ITALY – MAY 17: Gian Piero Gasperini, head coach of Atalanta (left), greets Patrick Vieira, head coach of Genoa, prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa and Atalanta at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 17, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Inevitably, there was a question about his future with a contract that expires in June 2026 and no intention of signing an extension, but he refused to comment.

“This is not the right moment to talk about it. We are ready to finish the season in front of our fans, these campaigns should be celebrated in style. We haven’t had the same results at home as we did away, but the fans were always very enthusiastic.

“Atalanta are in the Champions League for the fifth time in the last seven years – maybe the Europa League is better, considering our results!”

This is because Atalanta won the Europa League, going all the way to lift the trophy in 2024, beating Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Final.