Atalanta twice came from behind to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over Genoa at the Marassi, in a match filled with celebration, emotion, and late drama.
Goals from Ibrahim Sulemana, Daniel Maldini, and Mateo Retegui sealed the win on a night where both sides had already achieved their season objectives and Genoa fans had extra cause to celebrate, following arch-rivals Sampdoria’s relegation to Serie C.
The Rossoblù welcomed back Morten Thorsby from suspension but were without Maxwel Cornet, Ruslan Malinovskyi, Alan Matturro, and Honest Ahanor through injury.
Atalanta had their own absentees: Berat Djimsiti was suspended, while Sead Kolasinac, Juan Cuadrado, Giorgio Scalvini, Gianluca Scamacca, and Rafael Toloi remained sidelined.
Daniel Maldini came close early on, curling a first-time shot just wide, while Mateo Retegui had a pair of half-chances — one ending up in the arms of Nicola Leali, the other dragged off-target from a Maldini assist.
An injury to Johan Vasquez disrupted Genoa’s momentum, and Maldini squandered a golden opportunity in the 35th minute when he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but inexplicably missed the target with the net at his mercy.
That miss was punished minutes later. Aaron Martin swung in a cross from the left, and Andrea Pinamonti rose above the defense to nod Genoa ahead.
The hosts appeared to have doubled their lead before halftime when substitute Koni De Winter headed a ball into the path of Mattia Bani, who bundled it into the net while clashing with Rui Patricio.
However, the goal was chalked off for a handball by Bani, regardless of any potential foul on the keeper.
Atalanta struck back immediately after the break. Ibrahim Sulemana scoring for the second consecutive match brought the ball under control on his chest, let it bounce, and unleashed a stunning half-volley into the far bottom corner from outside the box.
But Genoa regained the lead not long after. A mix-up between Marco Brescianini and Isak Hien gifted the ball to Pinamonti, who slotted in at the near post for his second of the evening.
Still, the pendulum swung again. Maldini made amends for his earlier miss with his first Serie A goal of the season, coolly finishing after Marten de Roon’s pass slipped through thanks to a clever dummy by Retegui.
The atmosphere turned emotional when Milan Badelj made his final bow at Marassi, with the veteran midfielder confirming he would not be renewing his contract.
Davide Zappacosta nearly edged Atalanta ahead, drawing a save at the near post, but it was Charles De Ketelaere who created the winner.
Bursting down the right, he squared the ball for Retegui, who slid in to convert from close range.
Genoa protested fiercely, arguing that play should’ve been halted with De Winter down injured in midfield. Retegui, respecting his former club, opted not to celebrate the goal but it was a historic strike nonetheless.
He surpassed Pippo Inzaghi’s club record of 24 goals in a single Serie A season for Atalanta, cementing his name in the club’s history.
