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Serie A leaders Atalanta had no problems booking a spot in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals without Ademola Lookman, the 2024 CAF Player of the Year.
Serie A side Atalanta displayed their attacking prowess in the Coppa Italia round of 16, scoring six goals against Cesena without their star forward Ademola Lookman, who was absent after his trip to Morocco.
The Serie A leaders secured a commanding 6-1 victory on Wednesday night, comfortably booking their spot in the quarterfinals.
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In Lookman's absence, teammates Charles De Ketelaere and Lazar Samardzic stepped up to the plate, each netting two goals to lead the charge for Atalanta.
The scoring opened with Davide Zappacosta, who struck first, followed by contributions from Marco Brescianini and the aforementioned duo.
Despite a late consolation goal from Cesena's Joseph Ceesay, the match was largely dominated by Atalanta.
Lookman’s omission from the squad was expected, especially considering his recent trip to Morocco where he was named as the 2024 CAF Player of the Year.
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His absence did not hinder Atalanta's performance, however, as they displayed depth and resilience, proving they could thrive even without their talisman.
The match highlighted Atalanta's attacking strength and adaptability, with De Ketelaere and Samardzic taking advantage of the opportunity to shine in front of their home crowd.
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This victory not only advances them in the Coppa Italia but also reinforces the reason they are at the top of Serie A.
Super Eagles and Atalanta fans will be keen to see when Lookman will return to action soon. His contributions have been instrumental in their success this season, including his remarkable performances that led to his recent recognition as Africa's top player.
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