Retegui fires Atalanta to top of Serie A ahead of Inter Milan

MILAN: Serie A’s leading scorer Mateo Retegui netted as Atalanta beat Parma 3-1 on Saturday to go top of Serie A on goal difference, overtaking Inter Milan despite the reigning champions’ rout of Verona.

Retegui claimed his 12th league goal of the campaign after just four minutes for the visitor before Ederson and Ademola Lookman scored to send Atalanta above Inter, who hammered Verona 5-0 earlier.

Napoli dropped to third before it hosts Roma on Sunday on Claudio Ranieri’s return to top-flight management. Juventus meanwhile failed to impress in a goalless stalemate with AC Milan and is sixth, one place above its opponents.

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini said his team were developing a winning mentality.

Argentina-born Italy striker Retegui, 25, opened the scoring early on with a deft header.

The reigning Europa League champion doubled its lead after 39 minutes as Brazil midfielder Ederson scored his second goal of the season.

But five minutes into the second half, the host cut the deficit as Matteo Cancellieri fired home.

Retegui was replaced by attacking midfielder Charles De Ketelaere as Gasperini rested the attacker before Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Swiss side Young Boys.

Parma’s hopes of denying Atalanta a seventh straight league win were dashed with a quarter of an hour to play as Nigerian international Lookman finally scored, netting for a seventh time this campaign to ensure his side take top spot in the table.

AC Milan and Juventus played out a 0-0 draw in their meeting at the San Siro on Saturday, in a game light on entertainment and low on chances.

Juventus remain the only unbeaten side in Serie A but its seventh draw of the season means it remains sixth in the standings and is now three points behind leader Inter Milan. Milan stays seventh, six points behind Juve, though it has played one game fewer.

Juventus, missing injured top scorer Dusan Vlahovic, opted to start without a recognised striker, with midfielders Weston McKennie and Teun Koopmeiners leading the line and while it was the more positive side, it never really threatened to score. Agencies

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