Nigerian international Ademola Lookman led his Atalanta side to a resounding 3-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in a UEFA Champions League match played at the Veltins-Arena in Germany. Lookman was instrumental in securing the win, delivering a crucial assist and netting a goal that helped his team maintain dominance throughout the match. The win marked Atalanta’s first away victory of the campaign and a significant step in their Champions League journey.
Lookman’s performance was pivotal to Atalanta’s success from the start. His vision and precision were on full display when he executed a perfect cross after a short free-kick, setting up teammate Berat Djimsiti for a goal in the 21st minute. Djimsiti’s well-timed strike opened the scoring and set the tone for a match in which Atalanta never lost control.
The Nigerian winger wasn’t done yet. Minutes before halftime, former Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac made a surging run down the left flank and delivered a precise cutback into the Shakhtar penalty area. Lookman, positioned smartly, calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net to double Atalanta’s lead in the 44th minute, leaving Shakhtar with a steep hill to climb in the second half.
Atalanta maintained their attacking intensity after the break. In the 47th minute, Davide Zappacosta sent a pinpoint cross into the box, finding an unmarked Raoul Bellanova, who nodded home the third and final goal of the night. The emphatic win not only secured three points but also sent a message to the rest of the group that Atalanta is a force to be reckoned with this season.
This result provided Atalanta with a much-needed boost following their goalless draw against Arsenal in Bergamo in their previous Champions League fixture. With Lookman’s standout performance, Atalanta will be looking to build momentum as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures in the competition.
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Meanwhile, Shakhtar Donetsk will be aiming to bounce back when they face Arsenal at the Emirates on October 22. The Ukrainian side has yet to find their rhythm in this season’s Champions League and will need to regroup quickly if they hope to remain competitive in the group stage.
