Atalanta vs Cagliari: La Dea rescued by Big Scam as Lookman endures quiet night

In one of his final matches ahead of the 2025 AFCON tournament, Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman endured a disappointing night in front of goal, missing two big chances as Atalanta battled to a 2-1 win over Cagliari.

Despite Lookman's struggles, Atalanta were able to secure the three points thanks to a brace from Italian striker Gianluca Scamacca

Atalanta came into the match buoyed by a Champions League win over Chelsea but aware they needed domestic improvement, having managed just one Serie A victory in their previous ten outings.

They started strongly, dominating possession and creating early chances through Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere, with Elia Caprile called into action on multiple occasions.

The breakthrough arrived when Lookman surged down the left and cut the ball back for Davide Zappacosta, whose mis-hit effort was cleverly redirected into the net by Gianluca Scamacca’s back-heel flick from close range.

Atalanta continued to press, with Scamacca and Lookman both denied by Caprile, while Cagliari nearly snatched an equaliser just before the break as Gennaro Borrelli’s header flashed narrowly wide.

The hosts were dealt a blow early in the second half when Berat Djimsiti was forced off injured, and fatigue from midweek European action began to show.

Cagliari capitalised with a well-worked equaliser, Gianluca Gaetano finishing calmly after a neat one-two involving Michael Folorunsho and Sebastiano Esposito.

Atalanta responded, however, as Scamacca reacted quickest to a loose ball to restore their lead with less than 10 minutes to the end of the match. Late pressure followed, but Cagliari’s stoppage-time equaliser was ruled out for offside, allowing Atalanta to hold on for a much-needed win.