Newly crowned African Footballer of The Year Ademola Lookman returns to action for Atalanta when they host Empoli in Serie A on Sunday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Nigeria international missed Wednesday’s 6-1 Coppa Italia victory over Cesena after travelling to Morocco to receive his award, where he became the seventh Nigerian to win the prestigious honour.
Lookman has been instrumental in La Dea’s remarkable run of 10 consecutive Serie A victories, contributing 11 goals and five assists in 19 appearances across all competitions this season.
The 27-year-old, whose market value has risen to €55m following his outstanding performances, is expected to start alongside Charles De Ketelaere and top scorer Mateo Retegui in Atalanta’s attack as they aim to maintain their position at the Serie A summit.
“Our plan is not to change anything in the January window,” Atalanta President Antonio Percassi recently stated amid growing interest in the Nigerian from several European giants, including Liverpool.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have won 12 of their 16 league matches this season and remain in contention for four trophies following their historic Europa League triumph in Dublin last May, where Lookman’s hat-trick secured a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
The former Everton forward’s recent coronation as Africa’s best player follows his 14th-place finish in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, cementing his status as one of world football’s rising stars.
Atalanta have lost just one of their previous 12 Serie A home games against today’s opponents, Empoli, and have won their last four meetings by an aggregate score of 9-1.
The Bergamo outfit will be without captain Marten de Roon through suspension, while Giorgio Scalvini remains sidelined with a shoulder injury, joining long-term absentee Gianluca Scamacca in the treatment room.
Victory on Sunday would ensure Atalanta spend Christmas as Serie A leaders for the first time in their 116-year history.
