Ademola Lookman, who was just named African Player of the Year, has backed Atalanta to break a club record that goes all the way back to 1930.
The Nigerian wonder scored a crucial goal in Atalanta’s 3-2 Serie A victory over Empoli at the Gewiss Stadium on Sunday to celebrate receiving his CAF award.
Presenting his African Player of the Year award to supporters prior to kickoff, the forward made his comeback to action after missing the Coppa Italia match in the middle of the week.
Then Lookman came through on the field, giving Atalanta a 2-1 lead with his team’s second goal shortly before halftime.
Charles De Ketelaere equalized in the 34th minute after Lorenzo Colombo gave Empoli the lead in the 11th minute.
Lookman’s goal from Nicolò Zaniolo’s assist put Atalanta ahead going into halftime. The visitors pulled even in the second half when Samuele Esposito converted a penalty to make it 2-2, but De Ketelaere scored the game-winning goal to secure Atalanta’s victory and set a new club record of 124 goals in a single calendar year, surpassing their previous best from the 1929–30 campaign.
Despite being replaced in the 69th minute, Lookman has contributed significantly to Atalanta’s campaign, tallying 8 goals and 4 assists in 13 league games thus far this year.
His services have strengthened Atalanta’s aspirations of winning the Champions League and a Serie A championship.