Atalanta survive Lookman’s ex RB Leipzig without unsettled Nigerian

Atalanta BC started their preseason with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bundesliga side RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday.

Notably absent from the squad was Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman, whose future remains uncertain amid transfer speculation linking him to Inter Milan.

Lookman did not feature in the 25-man squad that Atalanta named for the match, continuing to be unsettled at the Bergamo club as reported by Pulse Sports Nigeria.

Before the game, the former Europa League winners seemed to miss their dynamic Nigerian forward, especially in the first half when Leipzig took the lead through a remarkable volley.

Lois Openda put RB Leipzig ahead early from a corner, volleying brilliantly to give the hosts a halftime advantage.

However, Atalanta responded strongly after the break with two stunning strikes from outside the box by substitutes Gianluca Scamacca and Lorenzo Bernasconi.

Their goals turned the tide and secured an important comeback win for La Dea in preseason.

The absence of Lookman was felt, as he had deleted all Atalanta-related content from his social media ahead of the game, fueling speculation about his desire to leave.

Fans reacted vividly on X (formerly Twitter) after the victory, with some voices airing frustration over Lookman’s unsettled status:

“I've already forgotten the Nigerian, we have our pearls at home,” a fan said moments after the game.

“Mandate via Lookman, we are no longer interested. Show respect to Atalanta. We only want players who love this jersey,” another added.

Despite the criticism, Atalanta showed character to overcome an early deficit, highlighting their squad depth with impactful substitutes changing the outcome.

With Lookman linked with a move to Inter Milan following an official bid from the Serie A giants, Atalanta appear ready to progress without the 27-year-old Nigerian.

This preseason victory is a positive start for Atalanta as they prepare for the upcoming Serie A campaign, but all eyes remain on Lookman’s transfer saga and what it means for both player and club.

• RB Leipzig 1 (Openda 12’)

• Atalanta 2 (Scamacca 63’, Bernasconi 80’)

• Lookman’s omission amid transfer speculation

• Atalanta fight back after conceding early

Fans express mixed feelings about Lookman’s future