Atalanta fought back twice to beat Genoa 3-2 at Marassi with Ibrahim Sulemana, Daniel Maldini and Capocannoniere Mateo Retegui, on a night dedicated to celebration.
Both teams were in a celebratory mood after securing their targets for this season, while Genoa fans had extra reason to party following the shock relegation of city rivals Sampdoria to Serie C. Morten Thorsby returned from suspension, with Maxwel Cornet, Ruslan Malinovskyi, Alan Matturro and Honest Ahanor injured. Berat Djimsiti sat out a ban for La Dea, with Sead Kolasinac, Juan Cuadrado, Giorgio Scalvini, Gianluca Scamacca and Rafael Toloi on the treatment table.
See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
Daniel Maldini swept a first-time finish just wide of the far post, while Mateo Retegui scuffed his finish into the arms of Nicola Leali and turned another wide on the Maldini pull-back.
Johan Vasquez limped off after turning his ankle, but Maldini really should’ve given Atalanta the lead when going clear on 35 minutes, drawing out the goalkeeper only to somehow fire wide of an empty net.
It proved costly, as moments later Andrea Pinamonti soared into the sky to meet the Aaron Martin cross from the left and give Genoa the lead.
The hosts had the ball in the net again on 43 minutes when substitute Koni De Winter knocked down a cross for Mattia Bani, who bundled it over the line while crashing into goalkeeper Rui Patricio. Even without the possible foul, it was disallowed for Bani’s handling offence.
Atalanta got it back on track straight after the restart with Ibrahim Sulemana’s second goal in as many games. Sulemana chested down the ball outside the area, let it bounce and smashed the right foot strike on the half-volley into the far bottom corner.
Genoa restored their advantage, as Pinamonti made the most of a comical misunderstanding between Marco Brescianini and Isak Hien, stealing the ball to turn in at the near post.
It didn’t last long, as Maldini made up for the earlier howler by scoring his first Serie A goal of the season for Atalanta, sweeping home after a smart Retegui dummy let the Marten de Roon pass through.
There were emotional scenes as Milan Badelj said goodbye in his final appearance at Marassi, having confirmed he will not extend his contract.
Davide Zappacosta tested Leali at the near post, but Atalanta finally turned it around to lead when Charles De Ketelaere surged down the right and rolled across for Retegui to come sliding in from eight yards. Genoa were furious, as they felt play should’ve stopped for De Winter being down hurt in midfield, while Retegui did not celebrate against his former club. The striker nonetheless made history, breaking Pippo Inzaghi’s record of 24 Serie A goals in a single season for Atalanta.
Genoa 2-3 Atalanta
Pinamonti 37, 60 (G), Sulemana 47 (A), Maldini 64 (A), Retegui 89 (A)
Player statistic
| Andrea Pinamonti (Assist: Aarón Martín) |
 |
37' |
| 47' | |
Ibrahim Sulemana (Assist: Matteo Ruggeri) | ||
| Andrea Pinamonti (Assist: Stefano Sabelli) |
|
58' | ||
| 63' | |
Daniel Maldini (Assist: Marten de Roon) | ||
| 89' | |
Mateo Retegui (Assist: Charles De Ketelaere) |
Match statistic
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