UCL: Gasperini Gives Injury Update on Ademola Lookman

By: Monsurah Olatunji

Gian Piero Gasperini has provided an update on Ademola Lookman’s fitness ahead of Atalanta’s Champions League clash with Club Brugge, confirming that the forward is still dealing with a bruise sustained during their January encounter with Napoli.

Although Atalanta are missing key players due to injury, Gasperini remains determined not to use absences as an excuse as his team prepares for the crucial match.

The Europa League champions narrowly missed automatic qualification for the UCL last 16, finishing the group stage in ninth place after a dramatic 2-2 draw at Barcelona, just one point behind Aston Villa.

Speaking ahead of the encounter, Gasperini gave a broader injury update, confirming that Lookman, along with Daniel Maldini, Sead Kolasinac, Gianluca Scamacca, Giorgio Scalvini, and Odilon Kossounou, are sidelined.

However, there is some positive news as Marco Carnesecchi has returned to the squad after recovering from flu and muscular issues. Matteo Ruggeri, on the other hand, has been affected by the virus going around the group and has been left behind in Bergamo.

“We need to make up for some absences, maybe we will soon recover Lookman and defender Kolasinac. In 10 days, they’ve missed four games,” Gasperini stated.

“Lookman had a rather annoying bruise that he’s been carrying since the Napoli game. We’ll see in the next few days if he’ll be available for Wednesday,” he added in an interview with Tutto Atalanta.

Despite his absence, Lookman has been in stellar form this season, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists in 26 appearances for Atalanta, making his potential return even more crucial to the club’s hopes in the competition.