Super Eagles of Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman was the star of the show as Atalanta won big in the Champions League.
Following a strong draw with Arsenal in matchday one of the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League, Atalanta defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 on Wednesday to record their first win of the competition.
Atalanta defeated the Ukrainian team easily thanks to a goal and assists from Ademola Lookman, who scored a hat-trick in the team’s victory in the Europa League final last season.
Lookman leads Atalanta to Champions League victory
Midway through the first half, Berat Djimsiti scored the first goal for the Europa League winners, converting a chaotic Lookman cross that caused havoc in the Shakhtar area.
A minute before the break, Lookman extended the lead for the Serie A team after finding a gap in the area to finish a low pass from Sead Kolasinac.
Shortly after the half, Raoul Bellanova gave Gian Piero Gasperini’s team a three-goal lead.
He scored easily after latching on to Davide Zappacosta’s floated cross to the far post.
Atalanta has struggled in their Serie A campaign so far, winning only two of their first six games.
The victory gives them a much-needed boost as they aim to give their title hopes a reset against Genoa on Saturday, October 5, 2024.