Ademola Lookman in action as Atalanta edge Club Brugge 2-1
Ademola Lookman made his first start of the season for Atalanta as the Italians came from behind to beat Club Brugge 2-1 in the Champions League.
The England-born Nigerian winger was left out of Atalanta’s squad for the first three Serie A games of the season after handing in a transfer request at the start of August.
Lookman was reported to have been a target for Inter Milan, but a move failed to materialise.
He looked sharp on his return to the first team and had an early shot blocked, but it was Belgium’s Club Brugge who took the lead against the run of play when Christos Tzolis curled in a fine effort just before half-time.
Atalanta dominated the second half, and substitute Davide Zappacosta went close with a low drive that flew just wide of the target.
They got the equaliser their dominance deserved when Nordin Jackers was adjudged to have brought down Mario Pasalic inside the box, and Lazar Samardzic stepped up to convert the penalty.
That set up a lively finale as both sides created chances to snatch a winner, but it was Atalanta who prevailed when Pasalic headed home with three minutes left.
The result gave Atalanta their first win of this season’s Champions League, while it was Club Brugge’s first defeat after thrashing Monaco 4-1 in their opener.
