Lookman Out Of Atalanta’s Champions League Clash With Barcelona With Knee Injury
By Atobatele Ayomide
Atalanta’s Nigerian striker Ademola Lookman has been ruled out of their must-win Champions League clash against Barcelona after he injured himself in a training accident. The Serie A club left the forward out of the match, stating in a short message that the 27-year-old Nigerian sustained an injury in the lateral joint of his right knee.
Lookman’s absence is a blow for Gian Piero Gasperini, whose team is pushing for direct qualification to the last 16 of Europe’s premier tournament. Lookman is expected to be absent for between two and four weeks, according to the Italian press, though the Italian club did not specify how long he is set to spend on the treatment table.
This is a blow for Atalanta, who lose one of their star performers. Lookman has been in the form of his life this season with 14 goals and six assists this season in all competitions. The fans will still remember him from his hat-trick last year which helped Atalanta lift the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen.
Atalanta are currently seventh in the 36-enter Champions League league phase. But their spot is shaky, with a number of clubs hovering one point below them. Crucially, they must win at already-qualified Barcelona’s Camp Nou; anything less, and qualification will almost certainly mean a play-off spot.
There is also the absence of Lookman, which handles another blow to Gasperini’s side, who have frequently defied expectations in both domestic and European competition in recent years.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
