Nigeria and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman. Photo by IMAGO

Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta were held to a 3-3 draw by Croatian second-division side NK Opatija in a preseason friendly on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports. 

Goodness Ajayi—the elder brother of Nigerian international Isaac Success—was among the scorers who helped the visitors secure a draw.

Played in Zingonia, the match was cut to 75 minutes for player safety, with a 45-minute first half and a 30-minute second half.

Atalanta boss Ivan Juric used only 13 players, giving most of the starting XI extended minutes after a separate friendly in Cologne the day before.

Kamaldeen Sulemana opened the scoring for the Nerazzurri in the 23rd minute after being set up by Lazar Samardzic, but Opatija’s Zibanovic quickly leveled.

Ibrahim Sulemana restored Atalanta’s lead with a fine strike from outside the box before the visitors turned the game on its head—Zibanovic grabbing his second on the stroke of halftime and Ajayi, cousin of Al-Hilal SC’s Junior Ajayi, firing them ahead in the 49th minute.

GOOOOOL ⚽

Laki pareggia dagli undici metri!

Samardžić puts us level!#AtalantaOpatija 3-3 | 71’ #GoAtalantaGo ⚫️

— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) August 10, 2025

Samardzic rescued the Italians late on, winning and converting a penalty into the top corner to seal the draw.

British defender Ben Godfrey completed the full match, while Malian striker El Bilal Touré sat out again amid speculation over a move abroad.

Meanwhile, Lookman, who found himself at the center of a transfer drama between his camp and his club, was absent from the clash.

With the hope of Lookman participating, Atalanta will host an open training session at their home ground on Wednesday evening before taking on Juventus in the Bortolotti Trophy next Saturday.