Champions League: Lookman shines as Atalanta cruise to 3-0 win over Shakhtar

Ademola Lookman delivered a standout efficiency as Atalanta secured a commanding 3-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk of their UEFA Champions League conflict on the Area Auf Schalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, on Wednesday evening.

Atalanta dominated the match and will have simply scored greater than the three objectives netted by Berat Djimsiti, Lookman, and Raoul Bellanova. Each groups entered the sport having drawn their opening European fixtures, with Atalanta held 0-0 at dwelling by Arsenal and Shakhtar drawing by the identical scoreline in opposition to Bologna, regardless of an early penalty miss by Georgiy Sudakov.

Accidents continued to bother Gian Piero Gasperini’s facet, with key gamers akin to Matteo Ruggeri, Marco Brescianini, Isak Hien, Rafael Toloi, Giorgio Scalvini, and Gianluca Scamacca sidelined. This pressured a tactical adjustment, with Charles De Ketelaere deployed as a False 9. Shakhtar, coping with absences of their very own, together with Danylo Sikan and Tymur Puznakov, performed on impartial floor as a result of ongoing battle in Ukraine.

Lookman, who was a continuing menace, got here shut early with an angled drive and later arrange the opener. His curling cross bypassed Shakhtar goalkeeper Ederson, permitting Berat Djimsiti to attain his first-ever Champions League objective with a intelligent chest-and-volley flick from shut vary within the twenty first minute.

Lookman’s affect continued as he doubled Atalanta’s lead simply earlier than halftime, calmly inserting Sead Kolasinac’s cross into the underside nook after beforehand hitting the crossbar. Raoul Bellanova added a 3rd objective three minutes into the second half, heading dwelling a Davide Zappacosta cross after poor defending from Shakhtar.

Atalanta now have 4 factors from two Champions League matches, following their goalless draw in opposition to Arsenal, whereas Shakhtar stay winless with only one level from two video games.