Atalanta B.C. is set to host Slavia Prague at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo tonight for a crucial UEFA Champions League group phase match. The fixture carries significant weight, particularly for Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, who is under immense pressure to break a seven-game goal drought for club and country. The 28-year-old’s form has been a major talking point, especially following his surprising exclusion from the 10-man shortlist for the 2025 CAF Player of the Year award, a title he notably won just last year.

Lookman's current struggles are a stark contrast to his heroic 2024 season, which culminated in a historic UEFA Europa League final hat-trick that secured his CAF award. However, he has yet to register a goal or an assist for La Dea in the new season. His dip in form is partly attributed to a summer of intense transfer speculation, which saw him linked with Inter Milan and reportedly disrupted his pre-season preparations, affecting his journey to full fitness. Despite this, Lookman played 82 minutes in Atalanta's recent goalless Serie A draw against Lazio, drawing praise from manager Ivan Juric for his second-half improvements.

Manager Ivan Juric is banking on Lookman to rediscover his scoring touch and inject much-needed efficiency into Atalanta’s inconsistent attack. UEFA reports indicate that Lookman's inclusion in the starting XI against Slavia Prague is a strategic move designed to spark his return to form, with La Gazzetta dello Sport noting, “Atalanta are waiting for his breakthrough, so the match against Slavia could be the perfect opportunity for him.” A breakthrough performance is essential for Atalanta’s European campaign and their climb up the Serie A table.

Slavia Prague, despite their dismal record of a 13-game winless streak in the Champions League—their last victory dating back to September 2007—arrive in Bergamo as a potential threat. Their head coach, Jindrich Trpisovsky, leads an injury-ridden squad that includes Super Eagles defender Igoh Ogbu. However, Trpisovsky remains confident in his side's ability to contain Lookman, acknowledging him as a star but emphasizing that Atalanta’s strength extends beyond individuals. He also highlighted other players like Krstovic, Sulemana, and Bellanova, noting their speed and progression.

For Atalanta, who recovered from an opening defeat to Paris Saint-Germain to secure a 2-1 comeback win over Club Brugge on Matchday 2, a victory against Slavia Prague is vital to fortify their position in the quest for a knockout stage spot. This match represents a high-stakes encounter for both clubs, and for Lookman, it is a crucial platform to shift the narrative from his CAF Awards omission back to his impactful on-field performances. The current CAF Player of the Year award race is now focused on Victor Osimhen, Mohamed Salah, and Achraf Hakimi, but a return to scoring for Lookman could drastically alter his season trajectory.