Why Atalanta benched Italy star Retegui against Napoli

Lorenzo Bettoni

VENICE, ITALY - OCTOBER 20: Mateo Retegui of Atalanta celebrates Mario Pasalic's goal during the Serie A match between Venezia and Atalanta at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on October 20, 2024 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

Italy international Mateo Retegui, the Serie A top scorer, starts on the bench for Atalanta against Napoli purely for tactical reasons.

La Dea visit table leaders Napoli on Sunday, and Italy international Retegui surprisingly starts on the bench.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

Gian Piero Gasperini has picked Charles De Ketelaere and Ademola Lookman in attack with Mario Pasalic behind them.

Why Atalanta benched Italy star Retegui against Napoli

Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui celebrates scoring the 2-0 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Atalanta BC and Hellas Verona, in Bergamo, Italy, 26 October 2024. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

Retegui initially goes to the bench, but not due to injuries or fitness issues.

As explained by Sky Sport Italia correspondent Massimiliano Nebuloni, Gasperini has omitted the Italy international from the starting XI because he wants a more unpredictable attack, which doesn’t give points of reference to an already solid Napoli defence.

Retegui already started on the bench against Shakhtar in the Champions League and Bologna in Serie A.

The 25-year-old a new Atalanta summer signing, is the league’s top scorer with 10 goals in 10 appearances.

Atalanta have four victories and one draw in the last five Serie A matches.