Ahead of this weekend’s Serie A encounter, Daniele De Rossi has suggested that Atalanta BC could struggle without Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman in their upcoming clash against Genoa CFC.
The two teams are scheduled to meet in their Matchday 16 fixture, with Genoa hosting the match. However, Atalanta will travel without Lookman, who is currently away on international duty representing Nigeria.
The winger has joined the Nigeria national football team for the Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Speaking ahead of the contest, De Rossi acknowledged Lookman’s influence in the Italian league, emphasizing that the Nigerian attacker possesses the ability to change the direction of a match.
According to the Genoa manager, players with Lookman’s attacking instincts are always valuable to coaches because of their unpredictability and creativity in the final third.
He noted that even when a player’s form fluctuates, individuals with exceptional talent remain dangerous and capable of producing decisive moments.
De Rossi suggested that Atalanta’s tactical setup inevitably changes whenever Lookman is unavailable, as his pace and attacking movement add an extra dimension to the team’s offensive play.
Despite praising the depth in Atalanta’s squad, he admitted that replacing a player of Lookman’s quality is never straightforward.
Meanwhile, both teams enter the match under pressure to improve their league positions.
Atalanta currently sit in the middle of the Serie A standings, occupying 12th place with 19 points.
Genoa, on the other hand, find themselves in a more precarious position, sitting 16th with 14 points and hovering close to the relegation zone.
Although Lookman has not yet reached his peak performance level this season, his presence on the left wing continues to influence Atalanta’s attacking structure.
So far in the current campaign, the Nigerian international has scored two goals in 11 league appearances.
Since moving to Italy from RB Leipzig three years ago, Lookman has built an impressive record at Atalanta.
Across all competitions, he has accumulated 55 goals and 26 assists in 134 matches for the club.
While Atalanta prepare for their domestic fixture, Lookman’s focus has shifted to the international stage.
The winger is expected to play a significant role when Nigeria face Tanzania national football team in their opening Group C match of the Africa Cup of Nations.
He was also one of the standout players during the previous tournament, helping the Super Eagles reach the final in Ivory Coast.
Commentary and Analysis
De Rossi’s comments highlight the growing reputation of Ademola Lookman within European football. Since joining Atalanta, the Nigerian forward has evolved into one of the club’s most influential attacking players.
His versatility and ability to operate both as a winger and a forward provide tactical flexibility for the team.
For Atalanta, the temporary loss of Lookman due to AFCON commitments reflects a recurring challenge faced by European clubs with African players during the tournament period.
While the competition offers international exposure and pride for players, it can disrupt club campaigns in domestic leagues.
At the same time, strong performances at AFCON could further elevate Lookman’s profile and reinforce his importance both for Atalanta and the Nigerian national team.
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