Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has provided an update on Ademola Lookman’s fitness, confirming that the forward is still nursing a bruise sustained in their clash against Napoli in January.
Lookman initially suffered the injury in that match but aggravated it further during training on January 28, ruling him out of Atalanta’s UEFA Champions League clash with Barcelona.
Since then, he has remained sidelined and is yet to make a return for La Dea.
The reigning African Footballer of the Year has now missed four consecutive matches for Atalanta, raising concerns about his availability for upcoming fixtures.
Champions League Availability in Doubt
Coach Gian Piero Gasperini of Atalanta BC. (Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Following Atalanta’s emphatic win over Hellas Verona, Gasperini addressed the press, admitting that Lookman’s participation in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash against Club Brugge remains uncertain.
“Lookman had a rather annoying bruise that he’s been carrying since the Napoli game. We’ll see in the next few days if he’ll be available for Wednesday,” Gasperini told Tutto Atalanta.
The 27-year-old has been a key figure in Atalanta’s squad this season, further cementing his status after a historic hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen securing the club’s first-ever European title last season.
Despite his absence, Lookman has been in outstanding form this campaign, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists in 26 appearances for the Bergamo-based club.
His return could be crucial for both Atalanta and the Super Eagles as Nigeria continues its quest for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Lookman’s Absence a Concern for Nigeria
Ademola Lookman celebrates.
With four matchdays played in the World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria currently trails Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin by four points, leaving them with little margin for error.
Lookman has featured in all but one of the qualifiers so far, missing only the 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe.
The three-time African champions are set to face Rwanda on March 21 and Zimbabwe on March 25, and they will be hoping to have the forward fully fit for these crucial fixtures.
In a best-case scenario, Lookman could make his return as early as Tuesday, February 18, when Atalanta hosts Raphael Onyedika’s Club Brugge in the second leg of the Champions League knockout phase playoffs.
