Olympique de Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi is approaching the upcoming UEFA Champions League match against Atalanta with a sense of caution, particularly due to the threat posed by Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman. Since joining Atalanta in the summer of 2022, Lookman has established himself as a crucial player, known for his speed and attacking prowess.
Despite a challenging start to the current season, where he has netted only one goal in eight appearances across all competitions, De Zerbi remains conscious of Lookman’s capabilities. He stressed that the talented 28-year-old can still have a significant impact, especially when Atalanta arrives at the Stade Vélodrome for their midweek encounter. “They’ve signed important players like Lookman from Paris. I don’t see Atalanta as being in crisis,” De Zerbi commented, as noted on Marseille’s official website.
Atalanta, like Lookman, has also faced a rocky beginning to the season, currently placed 11th in the Serie A standings. This has led to mounting pressure on head coach Ivan Juric and fueled rumors of unrest within the squad. Nonetheless, De Zerbi downplayed these notions in his pre-match press briefing, commending Atalanta’s overall performances and asserting that their recent results do not accurately depict the quality of their play. “They have fewer points than in previous years. They’re not in crisis; they played a great game against Milan and deserved more than a draw. It’s always difficult against Atalanta,” he explained.
After suffering their first league defeat of the season at the hands of Udinese last weekend, Lookman will be motivated to help Atalanta bounce back and deliver a strong performance in the Champions League. This pivotal match presents an opportunity for both teams to reestablish their momentum at a crucial stage of the season. The clash promises to be a test of resilience and talent as each side aims for a positive outcome on the European stage.