Recently crowned African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman has helped Atalanta achieve a remarkable feat, setting a new club record that dates back to 1930. The Nigerian forward, who has been in sensational form this season, played a key role in Atalanta’s 3-2 victory over Empoli in Serie A at the Gewiss Stadium on Sunday, further solidifying his importance to the team.
Lookman celebrated his CAF award with an important goal in the match, coming back from a brief absence due to missing the midweek Coppa Italia clash. Before kick-off, he proudly presented his African Player of the Year trophy to the fans, a moment that added to the excitement surrounding the match. His performance on the field did not disappoint, as he scored Atalanta’s second goal just before halftime, giving his side a 2-1 lead going into the break.
The match had been a back-and-forth affair. Empoli initially took the lead through Lorenzo Colombo in the 11th minute, but Charles De Ketelaere quickly equalized for Atalanta in the 34th minute. Lookman’s well-taken goal, assisted by Nicolò Zaniolo, restored Atalanta’s advantage just before halftime, creating a much-needed boost for the team.
In the second half, Empoli managed to level the score once again with Samuele Esposito converting a penalty, making it 2-2. However, Atalanta pushed forward, and De Ketelaere struck the winning goal, securing all three points for the team. The victory also helped Atalanta break a long-standing club record, as their total of 124 goals in a single calendar year surpassed the previous best of 123 goals set during the 1929/30 season, setting a new milestone in the club's history.
Lookman was substituted in the 69th minute, but his contribution had already been pivotal to the outcome of the match. So far this season, he has been a standout performer for Atalanta, having scored 8 goals and provided 4 assists in 13 league appearances. His presence on the field has been invaluable, and his contributions have given Atalanta a strong push toward their Serie A title ambitions and Champions League hopes for the season.
