Ademola Lookman made a goalscoring return to action for Atalanta, scoring the opener as La Dea claimed a crucial 2-1 win against AS Roma in a crunch Serie A match at Gewiss Stadium and book their spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League on Monday night.
27-year-old Lookman was absent from Atalanta’s training session late last week, with reports of an inflamed achilles tendon, being the hot subject of debate as the 2024 UEFA Europa League winners prepared for their match-day 36 clash against Roma in Bergamo.
The Nigeria international was on hand to put Atalanta in front after nine minutes to continue his outstanding form for the Nerazzurri this season, with the goal being his 15th strike in Italy’s top flight for a total of 20 goals across 38 appearances in all competitions.
Former Atalanta man Bryan Cristante restored parity for Roma just past the half-hour mark before substitute Ibrahim Sulemana sealed the win with a long-range shot after good work down the left flank by Lookman, who was awarded the Man of the Match at full-time.
Despite concerns surrounding Lookman’s injury, he was passed fit and the reigning CAF Africa Player of the Year was included in the travelling squad which took on the Giallorossi, heading into the match on a four-match unbeaten run (W3, D1), culminating in a 4-0 demolition of already-relegated Monza last time out.
Although, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men can no longer win the Serie A title, after three successive league defeats put paid to their ambitions early last month, Lookman and co are back in Europe’s top club competition, something they have not been able to do via the league since the 2020/2021 campaign.