Lookman: ‘The past is behind me, today I work only for Atalanta’

Ademola Lookman has put a difficult summer behind him and restarted his Atalanta career with a goal and strong performance in the 3-0 Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

La Dea were dominant in Germany, scoring through Lookman, Ederson and Charles De Ketelaere, while also hitting the woodwork three times. It was the first victory under new coach Raffaele Palladino, who replaced Ivan Juric last week.

‘I think it’s important right now to get the victory, as 3-0 away from home is a really good result,’ Lookman told Sky Sport Italia.

The match also saw the return of the attacking trident that won the Europa League Final in 2024, with Gianluca Scamacca back from a serious knee injury.

‘Obviously, it’s very free and easy playing with Scamacca and De Ketelaere, because they are quality players. We just have to keep on working and improving as a team, we take this performance and hope to carry it on in the league.’

Lookman praised Palladino’s attacking philosophy.

‘The Mister has a very clear idea of attacking and entertaining football, which you can see in the goals that we scored. Obviously, the DNA of pressing and hard work is in the team anyway, and we have to keep that going.’

Asked about his summer, when he tried to force a move to Inter, Lookman closed the chapter.

‘You know, what’s happened has happened. A lot’s gone on. Some things people know, others they don’t. Right now is the time to work hard for the team and we need to win games, that’s the most important thing, to get stronger every day. That is what I am concentrated on and so is the team, working together every day to get results.’

Paolo Di Canio was in the Sky Sport Italia studio and asked Lookman how he managed to recreate the bond with his Atalanta teammates and fans after a summer where he fought so hard to join Inter and failed to force through the transfer.

‘You know, what’s happened has happened. A lot’s gone on. Some things people know, others they don’t,’ replied the Nigeria international.

‘Right now is the time to work hard for the team and we need to win games, that’s the most important thing, to get stronger every day. That is what I am concentrated on and so is the team, working together every day to get results.’