Ademola Lookman boosts CAF POTY chances with Man of the Match performance

Published on by Toyosi Afolayan

Atalanta claimed a thrilling 3-2 victory over Fiorentina in Serie A, with Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman playing a pivotal role. Making his first appearance of the season, Lookman made an immediate impact, registering an assist and scoring the decisive goal to help his side earn all three points.

Lookman’s summer transfer saga linked him with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, but the forward remained at Atalanta. Following a period of uncertainty and absence from early fixtures, Lookman rejoined the squad before the international break, though he did not feature in any matches until now. 

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Photo by IMAGO

After scoring twice for Nigeria during the international break, Lookman was thrust back into the starting lineup and delivered in style.

Lookman returns with a bang

Fiorentina took the lead through Martínez Quarta in the 15th minute, but Atalanta quickly responded as Lookman set up Mateo Retegui for a headed equalizer. Fiorentina regained the advantage with Moise Kean’s strike in the 32nd minute, but Atalanta struck back again just before halftime, with Charles De Ketelaere slotting in Ederson’s pass.

Lookman put Atalanta ahead for the first time, beating the Fiorentina goalkeeper at his near post in the 46th minute after combining with De Ketelaere. Despite Fiorentina’s push for an equalizer, Atalanta held firm, with Lookman completing the full 90 minutes.

Lookman’s stats were impressive: two shots on target, two off target, five successful dribbles from five attempts, and 55 touches with a 90% pass accuracy. 

Named man of the match, Lookman’s standout performance bolstered his candidacy for major individual awards like the Ballon d’Or and African Player of the Year. His contributions are crucial as he continues to strengthen his case as one of Serie A’s top players.

With this victory, the Bergamo-based club returned to the top half of the Italian Serie A table, having amassed 6 points from their first four matches of the season.

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Toyosi Afolayan

Toyosi Afolayan is a sports journalist who breathes life into the games we love. He loves to combine insightful analysis with historical background, creating a richer understanding of sports. Afolayan's expertise ranges from captivating narratives to live broadcasts, captivating audiences across platforms like Ojbsport, AllNigeriaSoccer, TVC Entertainment, Bounce Networks, Kwara TV, ICIR, EaglesTracker, and NFF TV. His background in History and International Studies adds depth, revealing the connections between sports, politics, and national identity.