Ademola Lookman has returned to Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio after featuring in both of Nigeria’s friendly matches in Morocco over the past few days, Soccernet.ng reports.
Lookman came off the bench to score the winning goal for the Super Eagles in a 2-1 triumph over eternal rivals Ghana in Marrakech on Friday.
Surprisingly, the former RB Leipzig ace was named again among the substitutes and was only on the pitch for 17 minutes as Nigeria stumbled to a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Mali on Tuesday.
Lookman’s Atalanta teammate El Bilal Toure netted the opening goal for the Malians in that encounter to lift Les Aigles to their first win over Nigeria in 49 years.
Lookman and Toure left Morocco shortly after that encounter, and, according to Tutto Napoli, they both landed in Bergamo on Wednesday (today). They will partake in Atalanta’s team training at the Bortolotti Center on Thursday.
Atalanta are preparing for one of the biggest fixtures on their calendar – a league clash with reigning Serie A champions Napoli.
Scudetto holders Napoli will host Atalanta at the Diego Maradona Stadium in a lunchtime kickoff in Naples on Saturday, 30 March 2024.
Only two points separate sixth-place Atalanta and seventh-place Napoli, but the Bergamo-based club has played one fewer game than the Neapolitans.
A win will boost either team’s chances of picking up a European club competition spot at the end of the season.
Claiming a victory could, however, be a tall order for Atalanta, who have not won in Naples since a 2-3 triumph in December 2021.
With Lookman back and injury-free, Atalanta will head to the Diego Maradona Stadium confident of recording a positive result.
The Nigeria forward is Atalanta’s top goalscorer in Serie A with eight goals. The last time these two teams met in November, Lookman got the consolation goal for Atalanta in a 2-1 home defeat.
Compatriot Victor Osimhen assisted Napoli’s late winning goal in that encounter, and he will likely be involved again on Saturday.
Osimhen missed Nigeria’s games against Ghana and Mali as he was recuperating from a knock. Still, the former Lille ace will likely start against Atalanta as Napoli hunt for their 13th league victory of the season.
NB: Who will win this crucial clash: Osimhen’s Napoli or Lookman’s Atalanta? Leave your comments below.