Despite registering his fourth goal contribution in the league against Genoa, Lookman was pipped to the post by Retegui.
Mateo Retegui ignited the Serie A season with a sensational hat-trick against old club Genoa, the first of the 2024-25 campaign, leading Atalanta to a resounding 5-1 victory over the Rossoblu.
Retegui scores first Serie A hat-trick of 24-25
The Italy international, who joined the Bergamo-based club from Alberto Gilardino’s men in the summer, showcased his clinical finishing ability with a trio of goals that left his former club reeling.
Retegui opened the scoring in the 24th minute, converting Ademola Lookman's low cross, before doubling La Dea’s lead early in the second half, pouncing on a rebound after Pierluigi Gollini parried an Ederson effort.
He completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 74th minute after a handball in the box, with the impressive performance marking his seventh league goal for the Bergamo outfit in all competitions since joining the club in the summer.
Lookman pipped by Retegui
While Lookman was possibly one of the contenders to score the competition’s first hat-trick, last season’s Europa League final hero could only find the back of the net once against Fiorentina in mid-September and hit one strike after his introduction against Como in the final week of last month.
However, Retegui’s landmark was soon matched by Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram, who notched the Nerazzurri’s goals in a hard-fought 3-2 triumph over 10-man Torino at Sam Siro.
What next for Atalanta?
Atalanta travel to Venezia after the international break on October 20, 2024.