Charles De Ketelaere scored a late winner as Atalanta earned a 2-1 victory over Monza of their penultimate pre-season pleasant on Wednesday.
De Ketelaere struck the decisive blow eight minutes from time, combining nicely with El Bilal Toure earlier than ending on the close to submit.
Atalanta named a robust line-up to tackle their fellow Serie A opponents, however one notable absentee was striker Ademola Lookman, who has been linked with a transfer to Inter.
Lookman has reportedly failed to show as much as coaching for the final three days, with Atalanta believed to have rejected Inter’s preliminary bid of €45m.
On the pitch, Ivan Juric’s facet discovered themselves behind within the 14th minute when Samuele Birindelli tucked dwelling from contained in the penalty space.
However Giorgio Scalvini restored parity with 69 minutes on the clock with a high-quality header that cannoned off the crossbar on its approach into the again of the web.
And the victory was sealed shortly after by De Ketelaere, with Atalanta now making ready for his or her ultimate pre-season take a look at towards Cologne earlier than their Serie A opener on August 24.
FULL-TIME #AtalantaMonza finisce 2-1 #GoAtalantaGo pic.twitter.com/eY2tUHX6Ot
— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) August 6, 2025
Information Debrief: De Ketelaere’s probability to shine?
With Lookman’s future at Atalanta unsure and the lack of final season’s prime scorer Mateo Retegui to Al-Qadsiah, De Ketelaere may very well be the reply to his workforce’s issues within the ultimate third forward of the 2025-26 marketing campaign.
Solely Retegui (37) and Lookman (26) had extra objective involvements throughout all competitions final season than De Ketelaere (25) for Atalanta, and he showcased towards Monza his capacity to have an effect on video games, having solely been launched within the 61st minute right here.
This season might additionally current an opportunity for Bilal Toure to make a reputation for himself after netting three objectives in 17 appearances in all competitions throughout his mortgage spell with Stuttgart in 2024-25 earlier than a metatarsal fracture reduce his marketing campaign quick.