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August 8, 2024
Argentine-born Italian forward Mateo Retegui is on the verge of finalizing his highly-anticipated transfer from Genoa to Atalanta. The move, reportedly valued at €28 million, will see Retegui join five other Italian national team players striving to secure their spots in Luciano Spalletti’s international squad.
Atalanta’s strategic acquisition of Retegui signifies its commitment to building a competitive roster. The forward’s arrival is expected to elevate the team’s level of play. As Retegui prepares to don the iconic blue and black jersey, fans eagerly anticipate his impact on the pitch and the added depth he brings to the club’s offensive lineup.
Even before finalizing their deal with Mateo Retegui, Atalanta boasted an impressive lineup of Italy internationals. However, some key players are sidelined due to injuries, creating opportunities for newcomers to shine.
One such player is fellow striker Gianluca Scamacca, who, unfortunately, is expected to be out of action for at least six months after sustaining a severe cruciate ligament injury during a pre-season friendly against Parma. This setback opens the door for Retegui to immediately impact the team.
Atalanta has strengthened its attacking prowess by acquiring Nicolo Zaniolo, a 19-time Italy international who joined after a season on loan with Aston Villa in the Premier League. Zaniolo brings valuable experience and talent to the Bergamo-based club, heightening anticipation for the upcoming season.
Another key Italy international on Atalanta’s roster is Giorgio Scalvini, who had accumulated eight international caps before suffering an ACL injury. Despite his ongoing recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Giorgio Scalvini remains an indispensable figure in Atalanta’s defensive lineup.
Two additional Italy hopefuls are expected to make waves in Bergamo during the 2024-25 season. Promising young goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi, who received his first Azzurri call-up in 2022 under Roberto Mancini, is poised to make a significant impact between the posts.
Left-wing-back Matteo Ruggeri, another hopeful vying for his first senior cap, aims to capitalize on his previous success and earn his place in the national squad. Although CT Spalletti ultimately omitted him from EURO 2024, Ruggeri’s potential remains undeniable as he strives to build upon his Europa League victory.
With such a talented ensemble of Italian players, Atalanta is well-positioned to compete at the highest level while providing a platform for the country’s top talents to showcase their abilities and vie for international recognition.
Inter Milan wrapped up their pre-season campaign with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea in a friendly match at Stamford Bridge. Lesley Ugochukwu scored a late equalizer for Chelsea, while Marcus Thuram found the back of the net for Inter. This result follows Inter’s 2-0 defeat to Al-Ittihad earlier in the week.
The Nerazzurri lined up with several notable players, such as Yann Sommer, Alessandro Bastoni, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Nicolo Barella. Despite being without their influential captain Lautaro Martinez and the injured Mehdi Taremi in the attacking lineup, Atalanta’s formidable squad depth proved vital in securing a convincing victory. Marcus Thuram, rumored to be departing before the 2024-25 season, played alongside Joaquin Correa.
Inter Milan had their share of possession throughout the match and created a handful of decent scoring opportunities. Despite the draw, Inter will look to improve on minor defensive errors that have been a recurring theme in their pre-season matches. They will now focus on the start of the Serie A season, aiming to build upon their second-place finish last season.
The friendly match between Inter Milan and Al-Ittihad featured the following lineups for both teams:
Inter Milan (3-5-2):
Starting XI: Sommer (GK), Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni, Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Frattesi, Dimarco, Thuram, Correa
Substitutes: Martinez (GK), Pavard, De Vrij, Fontanarosa, Dumfries, Mkhitaryan, Asllani, Berenbruch, Augusto, Salcedo, Quieto
Al-Ittihad (4-2-3-1):
Starting XI: Rajkovic (GK), Al Yami, Al Mousa, Luiz Felipe, Kadesh, Al Nashri, Fabinho, Diaby, Aouar, Al-Ghamdi, Benzema
Both teams showcased their talent and tactical strategies during the match. Using their classic 3-5-2 formation, Inter Milan aimed to control the game and create scoring opportunities. On the other hand, Al-Ittihad utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation to capitalize on counter-attacks and exploit spaces in Inter’s defense. In the end, Al-Ittihad emerged victorious with a 2-0 win, thanks to Moussa Diaby’s impressive brace.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Latest Football News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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