After a protracted summer standoff with Atalanta, Nigerian international winger Ademola Lookman made his season debut in Sunday’s Serie A clash against Torino, coming on as a substitute in the 87th minute during Atalanta’s commanding 3-0 victory.
Lookman’s summer transfer saga saw the 27-year-old seek a move away from Atalanta, with offers from Inter Milan and Bayern Munich reportedly blocked by the club. The Super Eagles star even went on strike to press his case but eventually returned to training prior to this season.
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Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric praised Lookman’s return, stating, “He spoke to me and the team on Monday. He was surrounded by people who had given him some bad advice. He has a great winning mentality, and now we need to get him back in shape physically.” Juric acknowledged the challenging period but expressed hope for Lookman’s reintegration into the squad.
The Italian side dominated the match, securing an early lead through Gianluca Scamacca and doubling the advantage before halftime with a stunning free-kick from Teun Koopmeiners. Lookman’s brief cameo signalled a possible restart of his role in the team as Atalanta prepare for crucial upcoming fixtures including clashes against Juventus and in the Europa League.
