How Mateo Retegui is proving to be the striker Italian football has been longing for

Despite rumours of a potential move to Inter Milan, it was Genoa who snapped Retegui up from Boca Juniors in July 2023 for 15m euros.

His first season in Italy brought seven goals in 29 Serie A games, but he spent three months out injured and was required to do a lot of pressing by manager Alberto Gilardino.

Retegui’s qualities were evident, though – he was extremely comfortable in the penalty area and always looking to shoot.

In August 2024 another attentive manager saw that something special in him: Gian Piero Gasperini.

The Atalanta boss is known for his strong personality, which led to disputes with players such as Alejandro Gomez, Timothy Castagne and Pierluigi Gollini, but his ability to develop players is undisputed.

Retegui, who blossomed in Bergamo, is the last to have taken advantage of this.

He has scored 11 goals in his first 12 Serie A games for Atalanta – one goal every 71 minutes. Atalanta are second in the table and boast the league’s best attack, much of that down to Retegui – and Gasperini of course.

“I love the way he [Gasperini] wants us to play – we all push forward, up into the pitch, and create a lot of chances,” Retegui said in September.

“I spoke a lot with the manager and his staff. They also showed me videos of what they expect from me. It’s an ideal situation for me – they want the best of me and they know how to get it. And I am really eager to learn.”