Atalanta have received a major boost ahead of their Serie A encounter with Lecce as Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman makes his long awaited return to the squad The forward who has been sidelined through injury in recent weeks is expected to play an important role once again in Gian Piero Gasperinis attacking plans His comeback could not have come at a better time with Atalanta seeking crucial points in their push for European qualification .
Lookmans Importance to Atalanta
Since arriving at the club in 2022 Ademola Lookman has become one of Atalantas most consistent performers His speed and creativity coupled with his eye for goal have made him a central figure in Gasperinis system Lookman has consistently delivered goals and assists often stepping up in decisive moments for his team His versatility also allows him to feature across the front line whether as a winger or supporting striker giving Gasperini valuable tactical options Known for his composure in front of goal he has built a reputation as a match winner and a fan favorite in Bergamo During his absence Atalanta were forced to rely more heavily on Gianluca Scamacca and Charles De Ketelaere and at times lacked the direct attacking spark that Lookman provides .
Also Read : Barcelona Win UEFA Appeal Flick Cleared for Champions League Opener vs Newcastle
Atalantas Current Form
Atalantas season has been one of mixed results The team remains in the hunt for European places but inconsistent performances particularly in attack have cost them valuable points Gasperinis side thrives on high pressing quick transitions and dynamic attacking movements but without Lookman the flow has occasionally stalled With his return the club will be hopeful of regaining its attacking rhythm especially in home matches where Atalanta have traditionally shown strength .
Lecces Challenge
Lecce on the other hand continue to battle in the lower half of the table and their main focus is to stay clear of relegation danger They may not have the same attacking firepower as Atalanta but they have shown resilience and the ability to frustrate stronger sides Lecce are often disciplined defensively setting up compactly and relying on counterattacks to create chances Their wingers and midfielders play key roles in these transitions while the forwards look to make the most of limited opportunities Playing away in Bergamo will be a stern test especially with Lookman back to strengthen Atalantas attack .
Tactical Expectations
Gasperini is likely to stick with his preferred three man defense using either a 3 4 3 or 3 4 1 2 system In this setup Lookman could return on the left wing or operate just behind the striker using his pace to stretch the Lecce defense His movement will also create space for Scamacca or De Ketelaere to exploit Lecce by contrast are expected to line up in a 4 3 3 or 4 4 2 system remaining compact and organized while looking to strike on the counter Their priority will be to frustrate Atalanta and wait for defensive lapses to capitalize on .
What Lookmans Return Means
Lookmans return is more than a simple addition to the lineup It is a psychological lift for both his teammates and the supporters His energy unpredictability and goal threat give Atalanta a new dimension that has been missing in recent weeks For Gasperini having his star forward available again could be decisive in the clubs battle for European qualification .
Conclusion
The Serie A clash between Atalanta and Lecce promises to be a compelling contest While Lecce will look to stay compact and limit opportunities Atalantas chances have been significantly improved by the return of Ademola Lookman Supporters will be eager to see if the Nigerian forward can mark his comeback with another decisive performance and guide his team closer to their seasons ambitions .