Ademola Lookman capped his return to action with a goal as Atalanta brushed aside Torino 3-0 in Serie A on Sunday.
The Nigerian forward has been absent from competitive duty since the end of last season.
He came off the bench late in the match and immediately left his mark.
The 27-year-old entered the contest in the 87th minute with the game already leaning firmly in Atalanta’s favour.
Yet he needed only a few touches to announce himself, finishing clinically to seal the victory and highlight his sharpness despite a long layoff.
The goal provided a satisfying end to a turbulent summer for Lookman, while it also underlined Atalanta’s attacking depth.
Earlier, the match had tilted quickly in the visitors’ direction. Atalanta’s pressing game forced Torino into mistakes, and the opening goal arrived before halftime.
After the restart, Ivan Juric’s side maintained control, adding a second through Charles De Ketelaere, who returned from a minor fitness issue.
Lookman’s strike then wrapped up the scoring, ensuring a commanding away win.
This moment was particularly significant given the uncertainty surrounding Lookman’s future.
Background
Over the summer, Inter Milan tested Atalanta’s resolve with a €45 million bid, but the club rejected the approach.
Frustrated, the forward submitted a transfer request and even trained privately in the UK.
However, with no move materialising before the deadline, he returned to Bergamo, reintegrated with the squad, and gradually regained trust.
Juric confirmed before the trip to Turin that Lookman had been welcomed back positively, though he admitted the player still needed match rhythm. Nigeria Forward Ademola Lookman Back in Atalanta Squad For Trip To Torino
Now, with his first goal of the campaign already secured, Ademola Lookman looks ready to focus fully on Atalanta’s season.
The 3-0 triumph lifted La Dea to fifth in the Serie A standings, with 11 points from six games.
Consequently, their push for European qualification has gathered momentum, and the reinvigorated Nigerian could yet play a central role in the months ahead.
