CAF POTY Lookman returns to Atalanta today

Newly crowned African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman will return to action for Atalanta when they host Empoli in Serie A on Sunday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Nigeria international missed Wednesday’s 6-1 Coppa Italia win over Cesena after traveling to Morocco to receive his award, becoming the seventh Nigerian to win the prestigious honour.

Lookman has been instrumental in La Dea’s remarkable run of 10 straight Serie A wins, contributing 11 goals and five assists in 19 appearances in all competitions this season.

The 27-year-old, whose market value has risen to €55 million. following his excellent performances, is expected to start alongside Charles De Ketelaere and top scorer Mateo Retegui in Atalanta’s attack as they aim to maintain their position at the Serie A summit.

“Our plan is not to change anything in the January window,” Atalanta president Antonio Percassi stated recently amid growing interest in the Nigerian from several European giants, including Liverpool.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have won 12 of their 16 league games this season and remain in contention for four trophies after their historic Europa League triumph in Dublin last May, where Lookman’s hat-trick secured a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

The former Everton striker’s recent crowning as Africa’s best player follows his 14th place in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, cementing his status as one of the world’s football stars.

Atalanta have lost just one of their previous 12 Serie A home games against today’s opponents, Empoli, and have won their last four meetings by an aggregate score of 9-1.

The Bergamo outfit will be without captain Marten de Roon through suspension, while Giorgio Scalvini remains on the sidelines with a shoulder injury, joining long-term absentee Gianluca Scamacca in the treatment room.

Victory on Sunday would ensure Atalanta spend Christmas as Serie A leaders for the first time in their 116-year history.