Genoa head coach Daniele De Rossi has admitted that Atalanta’s absence of Ademola Lookman will give his side a significant advantage ahead of their Serie A clash this weekend.
According to The Punch on Saturday, December 20, 2025, Lookman has left Atalanta to join Nigeria’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, a development De Rossi believes weakens the visitors considerably.
“I confess that if I were to coach Lookman, I’d always want him on the pitch,” De Rossi said ahead of the match. “In Serie A, he can make the difference and change the balance of a game.”
The former Roma midfielder added that while Atalanta possess quality options on the bench, the absence of a player of Lookman’s calibre inevitably alters the dynamics of a match.
Genoa head into the fixture sitting 16th in the table, hovering just above the relegation zone, while Atalanta are 12th and have struggled to meet expectations this season. Despite scoring only two goals in 11 league appearances this campaign, Lookman’s constant threat from the left wing has ensured he remains a regular starter under head coach Raffaele Palladino.
Since joining Atalanta from RB Leipzig three years ago, the Nigerian winger has made 134 appearances, registering 55 goals and 26 assists — numbers that underline his importance to the club.
Lookman’s focus now shifts to international duty, where he is expected to start for Nigeria when the Super Eagles open their AFCON Group C campaign against Tanzania. His absence means Atalanta must navigate a crucial phase of their domestic season without one of their most influential players.
The winger was a key figure in Nigeria’s run to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, further highlighting the impact Atalanta will miss in the coming weeks.
