Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman and his Atalanta side were no match for defending champions Inter Milan during their top of the table clash in the Serie A.
Ademola Lookman and his Atalanta side endured a bruising night in Bergamo, falling 2-0 to reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan in a clash that saw the Super Eagles star stifled and both teams reduced to 10 men.
The defeat was a bitter setback for Atalanta in their bid to keep pace at the top of the table, while Inter solidified their dominance in the Italian top flight.
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The match remained deadlocked through a tense first half, but Inter broke the stalemate in the 54th minute when Carlos Augusto found the net.
The champions sealed the victory late on with a strike from Lautaro Martinez in the 87th minute, capitalising on a disorganised Atalanta side.
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Lookman, who had been tightly marked throughout, struggled to make an impact and was substituted after 83 minutes by manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
Unlike his Nigerian compatriots Victor Osimhen and Toluwase Arokodare, who made their marks for their clubs before the international break, Lookman was unable to break free from Inter’s defensive shackles.
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Atalanta’s frustrations boiled over in the closing stages. Star midfielder Ederson was sent off after receiving two yellow cards and a subsequent red for dissent, while Gasperini himself was also shown a red card for protesting the referee’s decisions.
The double dismissal capped a miserable night for La Dea, who were outclassed by a relentless Inter side, who also saw Bastoni sent off in added time.
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The victory allowed Inter Milan to leapfrog SSC Napoli, who dropped points in a draw against Venezia to open up a three-point lead at the Serie A summit.
Atalanta, meanwhile, remain in third place with 58 points, their title aspirations dented by the champions’ clinical display.
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For Lookman, the focus now shifts to international duty as he joins Nigeria’s Super Eagles for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Under new manager Eric Chelle, the team will aim to turn their fortunes around, with Lookman hoping to rediscover his club form on the international stage after this heartbreaking loss.