Some say that chance does things well, others talk about mektoub or destiny. At the beginning of August 2024, Matéo Retegui sees his destiny propelled at high speed. While the Italian-Argentinian prepares his second season with Genoa and incidentally in Italy, a twist of fate arrives from Bergamo: Gianluca Scamacca , his compatriot in the selection, ruptures his ligaments and is forced to stay away from the field for at least six months.
Less than two weeks before the resumption of the championship, things are bad for Gian Piero Gasperini and the Bergamo leaders, who then find themselves deprived of their Top scorer from last season. Barely time to think when Atalanta drops a all-in on Retegui, for an amount of 22 potatoes. A substantial sum for a player still far from unanimous approval and a risky bet, except for Gasperini. « I followed him last season, I am convinced that he is a player who fits our game and that he can adapt perfectly »declared the winner of the Europa League during the arrival of his new foal, in front of the press. If some people express doubts, the Mister knows that he has a diamond in his hands to polish.
Gian Piero le gourou
Luis Muriel, Duvan Zapata, Gianluca Scamacca, Marco Borriello, Jeda… All these attackers passed through the Gian Piero Gasperini machine, only to emerge transformed. The last one doesn't weigh his words when it comes to talking about the Gasp. « He is by far the best coach I have had in my career, he revolutionized the way I see the game »teases the Italian-Brazilian striker who played under his command for a season at Crotone (2005-2006), then in Serie B. Same story for Marco Borriello, the former Italian international having a thunderous season at Genoa where he was loaned during the 2007-2008 season (12 goals in 28 matches): « I owe a lot to Gasperini, he brought me a lot at the tactical and technical level. It's someone who manages to convince you, to create emulsion in a group. That season, I could even have finished top scorer in the championship. »
With him, I could even have finished top scorer in the championship.
Like a guru, Gasperini is renowned for his ability to convert his (future) disciples to his cult of intense pressing, individual marking and rapid transitions. To carry out its mission, the Gasp places major importance on its attackers, « the key elements of its system » as he presents them himself. « He manages to maximize the potential of a player, but always for the collective. For a striker, it's a huge pleasure, because you score goals and you gain confidence. But he also counts on you in the game, in the defensive phases. For him, the most important thing is your performance on the field »argues Borriello.
Adapt to a certain requirement
If Mateo Retegui already had characteristics consistent with the Gasperini style, notably his ability to multiply efforts or to be a mobile attacker, the Bergamo tactician sees important areas for improvement on his side. Particularly in terms of the science of football, as the main person explains: « I love his vision of football, he managed to help me progress. Especially in game intelligence, and in my reading of matches. He is very demanding, he often shows me videos of my movements and tries to correct them… Always in a spirit of improvement and progression. I really want to learn. » An improved vision of the game allowing him to often be in the right shots, while maintaining his lethality in front of the cage which makes him the top scorer in Serie A with eleven pawns in twelve matches.
Run, but run well: this is Gasperini's main requirement. « Gasperini is surely, with Conte and Zeman, the most demanding coach I have had during my career. Running and always being in motion is his watchword. When you manage to understand that and accept it, then it's an immense pleasure on the field »notes Marco Borriello, still very close to Gasperini and who even suggested that he bring in Zaniolo last summer. So much so that in barely three months, Gian Piero Gasperini has transformed his new number 32. How far?
Mission 2026 ?
Intractable since the start of the season, Mateo Retegui continues to attract the praise of the entire Boot. Which ultimately sees him as the chosen one, attacking him as the National been waiting for so many years. A striking progression, for a player whose arrival in the selection a year and a half ago now was considered the umpteenth proof of the downgrading of Italian football. After a season of adaptation to the transalpine championship with Genoa, Retegui seems to have really taken off with Atalanta.
The next step for the Italian international, and not the least, is to establish himself as the number 9 in power in the National. A challenge far from obvious, according to Jeda: « In addition to the pressure of playing for his country, Spalletti also demands new tactical demands. Retegui has adapted perfectly to what Gasperini asks, the hardest thing is not to become a pro-Gasperini player and incapable of adapting to another football. » This is quite the challenge that awaits the most Argentinian of Italians.
Atalanta takes its place, Salzburg wakes up
