As Eintracht Frankfurt prepares to host Atalanta B.C. in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, all attention will be focused on a player with unfinished business in Frankfurt: Ademola Lookman. Known for his outstanding performance in the 2024 Europa League final, Lookman has established himself as a notable threat in the Bundesliga.
During his tenure with RB Leipzig, Lookman faced Eintracht Frankfurt four times, with a dismal record of three defeats and no contributions in terms of goals or assists. For Frankfurt, he has been rather ineffective, making the team his personal nemesis.
In 2022, Lookman transferred to Atalanta for nearly ten million euros after a series of loan spells that preceded his breakthrough in Italy. The 2022/23 season saw him accumulate an impressive 21 goal contributions, followed by another 19 in the subsequent year. His pivotal moment came in the 2024 Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, where he scored a hat-trick, leading to a stunning 3-0 victory that catapulted him to fame across Europe. Consequently, Bundesliga teams now recognize the threat he poses on a good day.
However, Lookman’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. After a stellar previous season, he expressed a strong desire to move to Inter Milan, even applying public pressure on social media. But when the transfer fell through, tension arose between him and coach Ivan Juric, who began to publicly criticize Lookman for his perceived lack of fighting spirit. This conflict escalated, culminating in a heated exchange after a Champions League match against Olympique Marseille, leaving staff frantic to avoid a physical confrontation.
While Juric is no longer at the helm, Lookman remains at Atalanta, where his exceptional talent is tempered by personal unrest. As he returns to Frankfurt, Lookman aims to prove that he can thrive at a venue where he has previously struggled. Given his explosive performance against Bayer Leverkusen, he knows he will no longer be underestimated in Germany.
Should he score another hat-trick, it could pave the way for a resounding victory for Atalanta. However, the stakes are high as Frankfurt seeks to maintain their dominant home record in the Champions League. The matchup promises to be a thrilling encounter, not just due to Lookman’s potential but also given the teams’ recent performances. Fans can expect an action-packed game as these two clubs battle for glory on the European stage.