- By Olamilekan Israel with Agency Reports
Following their spirited performance in Sunday’s goalless draw with Lazio in the Serie A, Atalanta steps up preparations for their UEFA Champions League Matchday 3 fixture against Slavia Praha, with African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman taking part in a closed door training session at the Centro Bortolotti training complex in Zingonia.
The Nerazzurri led by head coach Ivan Juric resumed work yesterday just two days before tomorrow’s showdown at the New balance Arena to be officiated by the Spanish referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea .
Yesterday’s closed door training session focused on tactical shapes, recovery and their usual attacking transitions as Atalanta seek victory yet again.
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Lookman, who turned 28 on October 20th , is expected to play a key role when Atalanta hosts the Czech champion after been in the thick of action on Sunday where he nearly came up with the goals in the Serie A clash with Lazio.
In fact, ‘Mola’ contributions to the plight of La Dea despite summer’s transfer upheaval , was well noted in the club’s fitting birthday message on Sunday :“Ademola Lookman celebrates his birthday today!
“Born in Wandsworth on 20 October 1997, the Nigerian winger is blowing out 28 candles on his cake today. Now in his fourth season wearing the Atalanta shirt, Ademola has made 122 appearances across all competitions, tallying 25 assists and 52 goals — including his unforgettable hat-trick in Dublin that sealed our historic 2023/24 UEFA Europa League triumph. Many Happy Returns, Ademola!”
Meanwhile, UEFA has equally named Spanish officials Iker de Francisco and Alfredo Rodriguez as assistants to Bengoetxea for tomorrow’s tie between Atalanta and Slavia Praha with Jose Luis Munuera as the fourth official while Soto Grado and Carlos del Cerro Grande will handle VAR and AVAR duties.