Retegui hits four as Atalanta dominates Verona
Mateo Retegui scored four goals, including a first-half hat-trick, as Atalanta crushed Verona 5-0 to strengthen its grip on third place in Serie A.
Atalanta went into the game four points clear of fourth-placed Juventus after the Bianconeri's dramatic win at Como 24 hours earlier, but had no trouble extending that gap.
Retegui's first two goals came in the 21st and 25th minutes, his first a tap-in after Charles De Ketelaere hit the post and his second coming after a fine assist from Berat Djimsiti.
Ederson made it 3-0 when he curled home after a fine solo run, but this victory was all about Retegui.
He clinched the match ball shortly before the break, applying another poacher's finish after new arrival Stefan Posch hit the upright.
The Italy international then completed the rout in the 56th minute, volleying home after a neat pass from Marten de Roon.
Atalanta remains in third with 50 points, four points off leader Napoli and one behind second-placed Inter Milan, although both of those teams have yet top play their games this matchday.
Retegui is the first player to score four goals in a Serie A match since September 2023, when Lautaro Martinez did so for Inter in a 4-0 win at Salernitana.
He is the sixth player with a four-goal haul in one of Europe's top 10 leagues this season, and the first since the turn of the year.
With 20 goals in 24 league appearances this campaign, Retegui has recorded the strongest goalscoring start by an Atalanta player in any Serie A season.
Gian Piero Gasperini lavished praise upon Retegui after the game.
"He's extraordinary when the team dominates, like today," Gasperini said.
"An extraordinary scorer – 20 goals so far is an incredible number. There are also games that he doesn't dominate, when you are forced to defend and there is room for improvement."
