Lookman missing: Atalanta to face Onyedika's Club Brugge without Africa's finest

Nigeria's Ademola Lookman || Imago

Lookman missing: Atalanta to face Onyedika's Club Brugge without Africa's finest

Izuchukwu Akawor • Izuchukwu Akawor • 07:32 - 12.02.2025

Atalanta will continue their Champions League journey without their Nigerian superstar Ademola Lookman who remains injured and out.

Serie A club Atalanta will be without their star forward, Ademola Lookman, as they face Club Brugge in the Champions League playoff match. 

The Italian team has travelled to Belgium for the crucial clash on Wednesday night without the Nigerian international, who is still recovering from a knee injury.

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Lookman, 27, has been out of action since being substituted in the Serie A match against Como in January. He also missed the 2-2 draw against Barcelona in the final match of the league phase.

Despite initial hopes of his return for the game against Club Brugge, he has not yet regained full fitness to make the 22-man squad for the trip as shared by the club on social media.

Ademola Lookman has been out of action since January 25th. || Imago

His absence is a significant blow to Atalanta, as Lookman has been a key player this season, contributing 14 goals and seven assists across all competitions. 

In the Champions League alone, he has four goals and one assist in five starts for La Dea. 

Although Lookman will miss the opportunity to play against his compatriot, Raphael Onyedika, his team will be hoping to secure a spot in the round of 16.

Meanwhile, manager Gian Piero Gasperini seems to have a strategy to manage Lookman's absence. After Atalanta's recent win, Gasperini stated that when Lookman is fit, he and Charles De Ketelaere can interchange positions on the field.

Ademola Lookman has scored 4 goals and one assist in 6 matches in the Champions League.

While Lookman is expected to return to action before the end of February, he will not be available for either leg of the Champions League play-off clash with Club Brugge. 

Reports suggest that Lookman may return for Atalanta’s Serie A clash with Empoli on February 23. Although he resumed light training last week, he is unlikely to feature in the second-leg encounter against Club Brugge. 

Gasperini, Atalanta manager, seems to have the perfect plan to handle Lookman's absence. || Imago

He is however expected to start the match against Cagliari in Serie A from the bench as he works to regain match fitness.