Missed Chances and Missed Players: Atalanta and Torino Share the Points
Think football is predictable? Not in Bergamo. The much-anticipated clash between Atalanta and Torino was anything but straightforward, ending in a 1-1 draw colored by missed opportunities, injuries, and a penalty blunder that may haunt Atalanta's season ambitions.
The match started with both sides grappling for dominance, but it was Atalanta who broke the deadlock in the 35th minute. Berat Djimsiti rose above the crowded box to head home from a corner, capitalizing on Torino’s momentary lapse in defense. The energy in Gewiss Stadium spiked – but not for long.
Just five minutes later, drama at the other end: Guillermo Maripán, recently returning to Torino’s starting eleven, leveled the score with his own powerful header. Atalanta keeper Marco Carnesecchi had little chance as Maripán’s effort sailed in, erasing the home side’s lead before fans could finish celebrating.
Retegui's Penalty Heartbreak and the What-ifs
Earlier in the game, Raoul Bellanova thought he had put Torino ahead, only to have his goal chalked off for a handball after a quick VAR check in the 21st minute. The canceled goal served as a warning of how thin the margin for error would prove to be.
Then came the turning point: the 74th minute. Mateo Retegui, aiming to shine as Atalanta’s hero, appealed for a penalty after Adrien Tameze’s clumsy challenge bundled him over. The referee pointed to the spot – no hesitation, no drama. Retegui stepped up, the pressure mounted, and then the heartbreak: Vanja Milinković-Savić, Torino’s towering goalkeeper, guessed right and palmed the attempt away. Torino’s bench erupted; Atalanta supporters were left with heads in hands. That save kept Torino in the game and denied Atalanta what could have been a vital three points in their chase of the top spots.
Both sides were forced to cope with visible absence of some of their best talents. Atalanta were without Giorgio Scalvini, who is set for a lengthy spell out after dislocating his shoulder, alongside key attackers Ademola Lookman and Odilon Kossounou. Torino had their own issues, arriving without the firepower of Ivan Ilic and former Atalanta forward Duvan Zapata, as well as steady defender Mergim Vojvoda. The squads turned to less proven players, underlining the relentless demands of the Serie A season.
With the draw, Atalanta cling to third place on 47 points, still in shouting distance of Inter Milan but feeling the creep of rivals just behind. They’re three points off Inter, with leaders Napoli six points ahead and showing few signs of faltering. Torino, meanwhile, remain stable in 11th place – a frustrating spot for a side with mid-table reliability but dreams of more.
- Atalanta: Missed their opportunity to catch up in the title race.
- Torino: Proved difficult to break down, despite missing first-team regulars.
- Retegui penalty: The match’s defining moment, with Atalanta fans left wondering about what could have been.
This draw leaves both squads reflecting on what was gained, and what really slipped through their fingers: the kind of game that can shape a season just as much by the points lost as by those hard fought for.
