- Ademola Lookman led Atalanta to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Napoli, scoring twice
- Lookman’s early volley and stunning second-goal strike marked Atalanta’s fifth straight Serie A win
- Atalanta’s tactical gamble to bench top scorer Mateo Retegui paid off although he was later subbed on and managed to score a late goal
Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman was the hero in Atalanta's impressive 3-0 victory over Napoli, scoring twice to hand the league leaders their second defeat of the season.
Atalanta’s Gian Piero Gasperini outsmarted Napoli’s Antonio Conte tactically, delivering a showing that saw Atalanta’s intent to challenge at the top. In a surprise pick, Gasperini left star striker Mateo Retegui on the bench, opting to unsettle Napoli with Lookman’s dynamic pace instead, while Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini were out injured.
The game burst to life with Lookman’s opener after relentless Atalanta pressure. Matias Olivera’s attempted clearance fell short, allowing Charles De Ketelaere to flick the ball to the back post, where Lookman volleyed it into a difficult angle. This goal ended Napoli’s streak of three consecutive clean sheets and placed them on the back foot.
Napoli responded with a dreadful countermove almost immediately. Scott McTominay came agonizingly close to levelling the score when his long-range strike went off the post. However, Atalanta capitalised on another chance when De Ketelaere launched a counterattack, sending a pinpoint pass across to Lookman. In style, Lookman cut inside Giovanni Di Lorenzo and unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, bending it just out of reach of Alex Meret to make it 2-0.
Despite being down, Napoli pressed on, and Romelu Lukaku fought hard, nearly sneaking a goal amid defensive heroics from Isak Hien and Berat Djimsiti.
Atalanta’s Mario Pasalic also nearly extended the lead further, narrowly missing a header off a De Ketelaere cross, which could have put the game to bed just before halftime.
The second half saw Napoli pushing more relentlessly as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia forced a save from Atalanta’s goalie Marco Carnesecchi. Super Eagles forward Lookman had the ball in the net again shortly after but he was flagged offside.
Atalanta extended the lead count when substitute Mateo Retegui found the net with a stunning volley from a Matteo Ruggeri cross.
Napoli’s late surge ultimately fell short. With Carnesecchi's quick reflexes and Atalanta’s defence holding strong, Gasperini’s side secured the win, marking only the second time in 19 Serie A meetings they’ve beaten Napoli at home.
Atalanta’s victory sees them continue their strong form with five consecutive Serie A wins, and with the tactical sharpness and attacking firepower displayed in this game, Atalanta looks ready to keep pace with Italy’s top clubs.
Ballon d’Or rankings place Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman in 14th position
Previously, TheRadar reported that Super Eagles Ademola Lookman earned a spot among the elite, finishing 14th in the prestigious 2024 Ballon d'Or rankings.
The Super Eagles and Atalanta forward final standing was announced during the ceremony in Paris on Monday Evening, October 28, marking his first-ever nomination in the race for football’s highest individual accolade.
