Atalanta made a strong comeback against Lecce, showcasing their depth amidst some injury concerns. Entering the match with just 11 first-team players and a handful of youth prospects due to the absence of key players like Ademola Lookman and Teun Koopmeiners, they turned to newcomers Brescianini and Retegui, who both scored twice to obliterate Lecce in a matter of 57 minutes.
The team’s performance served as a warning to Serie A rivals as they displayed a stellar style of play. With the potential return of players like Samardzic, Lookman, Scalvini, Kolasinac, and Zaniolo, Atalanta seems well-positioned for the season ahead. Brescianini, fresh from Frosinone and having participated in only four training sessions, proved to have an immediate impact. He scored the opening goal in the 35th minute after a smart run, before Retegui delivered a powerful header just before halftime to double the lead.
Lecce struggled throughout, needing to take advantage of the upcoming transfer market to revamp their squad, having suffered heavily in this match. Coach Luca Gotti had hinted at the difficulties that lay ahead, and it became clear that Lecce needed experienced players familiar with the top flight, rather than simply relying on free transfers from lower leagues abroad.
The match drew a record crowd to the Via del Mare, with 21,621 fans creating an electric atmosphere as they rallied behind Lecce, except for the small contingent of 300 Atalanta supporters. Despite a good start with energetic play, especially from Dorgu, Lecce was unable to translate that into goals, with wasted chances further compounding their woes.
Atalanta’s tactical setup, featuring a 3-4-3 formation, began to click as they found their rhythm. Brescianini’s debut was perfect, and the team’s confidence grew as they exploited Lecce’s defensive mistakes. The match’s turning point came as Retegui scored from a corner after a mishap in Lecce’s defense, and shortly after, he converted a penalty following a foul by Lassana Coulibaly.
Brescianini capped off his brilliant performance with a second goal in the 66th minute, cementing Atalanta’s dominance at 4-0. Gotti tried to switch things up by introducing Banda and Coulibaly, but even with a strong reaction from Lecce, they could not find the net. As the game wound down, Lecce’s lack of a true striker in their ranks was evident, leaving them with a tough task ahead to find goalscoring solutions as the season progresses.