Atalanta’s Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, delivered a sensational first-half performance on Sunday, netting two goals that effectively halted Napoli’s strong winning streak as Atalanta triumphed 3-0 in their intense Serie A encounter at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. Lookman struck decisively in the 10th and 31st minutes, leaving the home crowd stunned and shifting the momentum firmly in Atalanta’s favor. His brace not only broke Napoli’s rhythm but also highlighted his remarkable form this season, with the forward now boasting an impressive tally of six goals in just seven starts, positioning him among Serie A’s top scorers and playmakers.
The game’s final moments saw Mateo Retegui add further weight to Atalanta’s victory, as he slotted home a third goal in the 92nd minute. Retegui’s late strike capped off a commanding display from the visitors, ensuring a memorable 3-0 win over Napoli, who came into this match after winning four of their last five games.
Despite meticulous preparations by Napoli coach Antonio Conte, the former Chelsea manager struggled to find a solution to contain Lookman’s dynamic play. Conte had previously acknowledged the threat Lookman posed, warning that, “This is a big danger because Atalanta are a strong team; they won the Europa League by ending Bayer Leverkusen’s season-long unbeaten record.” Conte was acutely aware of Lookman’s ability to disrupt even the best defenses, comparing his impact to that of Arsenal’s attacking style against them in the Champions League. Yet, despite these pre-game concerns and tactical precautions, Lookman’s relentless energy and sharp movements repeatedly unsettled Napoli’s backline.
This victory holds particular significance for Atalanta, who had struggled in their recent head-to-head encounters with Napoli, managing just one win in their last five meetings. Ironically, their last victory against Napoli came in the previous season’s return fixture at this very stadium, also with a commanding 3-0 scoreline.
