Ademola Lookman Leads Atalanta Against Empoli in Serie A

Newly Crowned African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman, Set to Lead Atalanta Against Empoli in Serie A.

Ademola Lookman, recently honored as the African Footballer of the Year, returns to action for Atalanta in a crucial Serie A clash against Empoli on Sunday. The Nigerian forward missed Atalanta’s 6-1 Coppa Italia victory over Cesena due to his trip to Morocco to receive the prestigious accolade.

Lookman’s exceptional form this season has been a driving force behind Atalanta’s stellar campaign, with the 27-year-old contributing 11 goals and five assists in 19 appearances across all competitions. His market value has soared to €55 million, reflecting his influence on the field.

Atalanta’s Stellar Run Fueled by Lookman

Atalanta, led by coach Gian Piero Gasperini, has been in remarkable form, securing 10 consecutive Serie A wins. Lookman is expected to spearhead the attack alongside Charles De Ketelaere and leading scorer Mateo Retegui as the team aims to remain atop the Serie A table.

Atalanta President Antonio Percassi recently addressed speculation surrounding Lookman’s future amid interest from European powerhouses like Liverpool, stating, “Our plan is not to change anything in the January window.”

Historic Opportunity for Atalanta

Victory on Sunday would mark a milestone for Atalanta, ensuring they spend Christmas as Serie A leaders for the first time in their 116-year history. The Bergamo side has dominated Empoli in recent encounters, winning their last four meetings with a combined score of 9-1.

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Despite being without captain Marten de Roon (suspension) and key players Giorgio Scalvini and Gianluca Scamacca (injuries), Atalanta remains focused on their objectives.

Ademola Lookman’s Impact

The former Everton star continues to cement his place as one of football’s rising talents. His recent award as Africa’s best player follows a 14th-place finish in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, underscoring his growing reputation.

Lookman’s brilliance was pivotal in Atalanta’s Europa League triumph last season, where his hat-trick in the final secured a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

As Atalanta hosts Empoli, fans will look to Lookman to inspire yet another memorable performance in what has been a season of historic proportions.