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The Super Eagles forward began La Dea’s comeback at the Gewiss Stadium with his second-half equaliser, creating a bit of history for the Bergamaschi.
Ademola Lookman opened his Europa League account for Atalanta on Thursday night when he scored the equaliser in La Dea’s 2-1 success over Sporting Lisbon at Gewiss Stadium, thus seeing the Italian side claim a 3-2 aggregate triumph over Ruben Amorim’s side.
Atalanta vs Sporting
Pedro Goncalves’ 33rd-minute strike put the Portuguese side 1-0 up, and it stayed that way until the break. However, goals from Lookman and Gianluca Scamacca turned the game around as Gian Piero Gasperini’s men won the night and on aggregate.
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La Dea should have recorded a dominant win in the reverse fixture in Lisbon, but the woodwork denied the Serie A side three times, with Lookman not left out of the misfortune. But he was not to be thwarted on Thursday night, and he profited from good fortune this time as Aleksei Miranchuk’s ball from the far side made its way to him on the far post.
The Russian also set up Scamacca’s well-taken winning goal in the 59th minute, sealing Atalanta’s place in the Europa League quarter-final draw on Friday.
What record did Lookman set in Atalanta’s Europa League win over Sporting?
Lookman’s equaliser came 36 seconds after the restart, with the Atalanta forward’s goal the quickest La Dea have found the back of the net following the interlude in major European competition.
The Super Eagles forward, lauded by Gasperini after the reverse fixture in Lisbon, came up trumps in Bergamo as Sporting’s winless away run against Italian sides extended to 18 games (13 defeats, five draws) after Thursday night.
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23:30 - 06.03.2024
Gasperini on what 'shy' Lookman needs to become a complete player
The Atalanta boss lauded the improved Super Eagles forward after La Dea’s 1-1 Europa League last-16 first-leg encounter against Sporting Lisbon.
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22:58 - 03.03.2024
Ademola Lookman: Gasperini’s striking observation after forward’s goal against Bologna
The Atalanta boss was not interested in focusing on Ademola Lookman alone after the Super Eagles forward netted on his first start since AFCON 2023 in La Dea’s defeat by Bologna.
What did Lookman say after opening his Europa League account for Atalanta?
The Nigerian, speaking to Atalanta’s in-house channel after the game, was all smiles after the result, unable to hide his delight.
“Very happy with the win today, played a good game, and definitely after the away game, it was important to bring it back here to get the win,” said Lookman after the win. “They took the lead in the first half and in that moment they were on top, but we came out in the second half very strong with the right mentality and it set the tone for the game.
“The fans were top. It was an occasion to be proud of, an occasion to see and witness for everyone in the stadium. We’re in the quarter-finals, so any team that we come up against is a top team. We’re expecting a tough draw, but we’re looking forward to it.”
What comes next for Lookman and Atalanta after Europa League progress?
Atalanta await their quarter-final fate on Friday, with the draw to be held in Nyon soon after the Champions League last-eight clashes are known. The draw’s procedure means Atalanta will recognise potential semi-final opponents as the possible last-four pairings are also determined.
Lookman and his teammates return to league action this weekend before the international break when they host Fiorentina at the Gewiss Stadium on March 17.
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