Sturm Graz head coach Jürgen Säumel has heaped praise on Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, describing him as “extremely versatile and dangerous” ahead of their crucial Champions League encounter against Atalanta in Bergamo tonight, Soccernet.ng reports.
Lookman shot to global fame last season after his sensational hat-trick in the Europa League final secured Atalanta their first-ever European title.
The Super Eagles star capped a memorable 2024 by becoming the only African nominated for the Ballon d’Or and claiming the African Footballer of the Year award.
The 27-year-old has carried that scintillating form into the current campaign, with 10 goals and five assists in Serie A, alongside three goals and one assist in five Champions League matches.
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Speaking ahead of the game as per Kurier, Säumel highlighted the threat posed by the Nigerian attacker:
“He [Lookman] is extremely versatile and dangerous. Bergamo always brings out top players and can then keep them, like Lookman.”
Sturm Graz enter the match as underdogs and will need to be at their best to pull off a surprise victory.
Atalanta, currently 13th on the group standings with 11 points, are just two points away from securing a quarterfinal spot. A win tonight would guarantee their place in the knockout rounds with a game to spare before their final clash against Barcelona in Spain.
Despite their impressive away form, which includes a stunning 6-1 win at Young Boys, Atalanta have struggled at home in this season’s competition, failing to win in Bergamo. They have drawn two goalless games and suffered a defeat to Real Madrid.
Sturm Graz, on the other hand, have a poor record against Italian teams in European competitions, with just one win in 14 matches (D6 L7). Their sole victory came back in the 2002/03 UEFA Cup, a narrow 1-0 triumph over Lazio in Rome.
As Atalanta aim to end their home woes, all eyes will be on Lookman, tipped to be a shrewd acquisition for Napoli, to see if he can deliver another decisive performance for the Serie A side.