Gian Piero Gasperini feels Atalanta have grabbed their first win of 2025 at ‘the right time’, defeating Sturm Graz to earn a place into the top 24 of the Champions League’s league phase, an achievement that ‘wasn’t guaranteed at the start’.

Atalanta are still in the running for direct access to the Champions League Round of 16 after a comfortable 5-0 victory over Sturm Graz with Mateo Retegui, Charles De Ketelaere and Ademola Lookman on target.

After losing to Inter Milan in Saudi Arabia, La Dea returned to league duty with a fortunate 0-0 draw against Udinese, and fit-again striker Mateo Retegui then emerged from the bench to rescue a point at home to Juventus.

Europa League winners Atalanta thrashed Austrian outfit Sturm Graz 5-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday with Gian Piero Gasperini's side well placed to earn a spot in the competition's top eight. Atalanta put in a compelling performance,

Lookman, who replaced Retegui at halftime, impressed throughout the second half and capped his performance with a powerful header in the 90th minute, assisted by De Ketelaere.