Atalanta vs Slavia Prague: Super Eagles star Lookman underperforms again, extends goal drought

Atalanta’s quest for Champions League momentum was stifled at the Gewiss Stadium today, resulting in a frustrating 0-0 draw against Slavia Prague.

Despite dominating possession and creating numerous high-quality chances (Expected Goals - xG of 1.77 for Atalanta vs. 0.37 for Slavia), the Italian side’s finishing proved toothless.

The goalless draw further compounds the woes of Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman, whose personal goal drought for La Dea now extends across five consecutive matches.

The match was billed as the perfect opportunity for Lookman, who recently missed out on the 2025 CAF Player of the Year shortlist, to turn his season around. 

However, the Nigerian forward, featuring for 62 minutes before being substituted, failed to register a shot on target. 

While he showed glimpses of his creative ability, contributing two chances created and two key passes, the desired breakthrough goal once again eluded him.

The current CAF Awards winner’s mounting pressure is palpable. Atalanta fans, keen to see the return of the player who scored a historic hat-trick in last season’s Europa League final, are becoming increasingly vocal about his current underperformance.

The true star of the night was Slavia Prague goalkeeper Jakub Markovic. The 24-year-old put in a heroic shift, single-handedly preserving the clean sheet with a series of outstanding saves.

Markovic’s most crucial moments came in the first half, denying a one-on-one chance from defender Odilon Kossounou and immediately tipping a powerful Charles De Ketelaere shot around the post. 

Atalanta's attacking engine, De Ketelaere, was a constant threat, driving forward and creating opportunities, but the final, clinical touch from his teammates, including Nikola Krstovic, who also missed several key opportunities, was consistently lacking.

The 0-0 draw extends Atalanta's winless run to three matches, with just one goal scored, and highlights a significant attacking deficiency; despite a strong tactical setup from manager Ivan Juric, the team's ability to convert clear-cut chances remains a major concern.

For Lookman, his prolonged lack of attacking contributions directly reflects the team's struggles. His underwhelming performances since rejoining the squad after a summer transfer saga, compounded by the snub from the CAF awards, place intense scrutiny on his mental and physical readiness.