Nigerian international Ademola Lookman has broken his UEFA Champions League duck for the season, playing a pivotal role in Atalanta's commanding 3-0 away victory against German side Eintracht Frankfurt.
The forward opened the scoring on Tuesday, marking a significant moment in what has been a challenging period for him personally, and triggering a devastating five-minute spell that saw his team secure a crucial three points.
Lookman Breaks the Deadlock in Germany
The match was deadlocked until the hour mark when Ademola Lookman found the back of the net in the 60th minute to give Atalanta a deserved lead. His goal acted as a catalyst for his teammates.
Just two minutes later, midfielder Ederson doubled the advantage. The scoring frenzy was completed in the 65th minute by Charles De Ketelaere, meaning Atalanta scored three goals in a blistering five-minute period to seal the win.
This victory is particularly significant as it represents the first Champions League win for new manager Raffaele Palladino, who took over the reins from Ivan Juric. The result lifts La Dea in the 36-team table, where they are now level on points with footballing giants Borussia Dortmund.
Lookman's Reaction and Team Focus
Following a summer of transfer speculation and limited public appearances, Lookman spoke to UEFA TV after the match, expressing his delight with the team's performance.
"Big performance from the team, big result, 3-0 win away from home, so good victory," Lookman stated. He emphasized the importance of patience, noting that the team created chances in the first half and knew more would come after the break.
The Super Eagles star immediately shifted focus to the club's domestic struggles, urging his team to carry this momentum into Serie A. "We need to take this form into the league and climb up the table," he added, calling the win a confidence booster for the entire squad.
Moving Past a Turbulent Summer
When pressed by Sky Italia about the reported strain in his relationship with teammates following his intention to leave the club, Lookman chose to focus on the future rather than dwell on the past.
"You know, what’s happened has happened. A lot’s gone on. Some things people know, others they don’t," he remarked. Lookman affirmed that his sole concentration is on working hard for the team and winning games.
Despite his commitment for the current campaign, the forward is widely expected to depart Bergamo at the end of the season, with Turkish club Galatasaray reportedly interested in pairing him with his compatriot, Victor Osimhen.
For now, however, Lookman and Atalanta will aim to build on this emphatic European victory as they prepare for a Serie A clash against Fiorentina this weekend, a match that could see them break into the top ten.
