UCL: Ademola Lookman ruled out of Barcelona clash with knee injury

Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman will miss Atalanta’s crucial Champions League clash against Barcelona on Wednesday due to a knee injury, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

The 27-year-old Super Eagles forward will not travel with the Atalanta squad to Catalunya and is set to undergo further tests in Bergamo to determine the severity of the injury. Gazzetta suggests the injury, sustained during a training session on Monday, could sideline him for up to a month.

Lookman has been instrumental for Atalanta this season, scoring 14 goals and providing seven assists in 27 appearances across all competitions. He was also recently named the 2024 African Player of the Year for his outstanding performances for both club and country.

Atalanta currently sit in seventh place in the expanded Champions League format, one spot from automatic qualification and victory against Barcelona would secure their place in the last 16 without the need for a two-legged playoff.

While the full extent of Lookman’s injury remains unclear, Atalanta will be hoping for a swift recovery. A prolonged absence could force the club to explore options in the transfer market.

Lookman, who previously played for Fulham, Everton, and Leicester City, joined Atalanta from RB Leipzig for €9.3 million in 2022 and has since scored 46 goals in 105 appearances for La Dea.