Nigeria and Atalanta star Ademola Lookman. Photo Credit X
Italian football legend Roberto Donadoni has thrown his weight behind Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman ahead of Sunday’s Serie A clash between AC Milan and Atalanta, saying the Nigerian has shown more consistency and decisiveness than Portugal’s Rafael Leão, Soccernet.ng reports.
The two attackers are set to go head-to-head at the iconic San Siro as Atalanta look to consolidate their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, while Milan continue their push for a European spot.
Leão, now in his sixth season with AC Milan, is the most valuable Portuguese footballer in the world with a worth of €75 million, as per Transfermarkt.
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The former Lille ace played a key role in Milan’s title-winning 2021-22 campaign and has scored 54 Serie A goals since arriving in Italy.
Yet despite his pedigree, Donadoni, who won seven Serie A titles and three Champions League trophies with Milan, believes Lookman has had a more influential season.
“Both strikers can decide the match, but if I had to choose, I’d bet on Lookman,” Donadoni told Eco di Bergamo, as reported by Milannews.
“So far he’s been more consistent, he’s fundamental for Gasperini, and he already proved it in the reverse fixture. Leão has had ups and downs, and this year he has struggled quite a bit to find consistency.”
Lookman has registered 13 goals and five assists in 26 Serie A games this season despite struggling with injury and enduring an ugly fallout with manager Gian Piero Gasperini. The reigning African Footballer of the Year’s crowning moment came in the UEFA Europa League final, where he netted a historic hat-trick to guide Atalanta to their first-ever European trophy.
In comparison, Leão has scored seven times and contributed eight assists in 30 Serie A appearances this term. While his numbers remain solid, AC Milan have underperformed, sitting in ninth place with 51 points — 10 behind third-placed Atalanta, who have 61 points with six games left.
Sunday’s fixture is critical for both clubs. Atalanta are aiming to hold onto their top-four position and secure Champions League qualification, while Milan must string together wins to remain in contention for a place in next season’s UEFA Conference League.
Atalanta enter the match on the back of a confidence-boosting 2-0 victory over Bologna, snapping a three-game losing streak. Milan, meanwhile, dismantled Udinese 4-0 in their last outing.
When these sides last met in December, Atalanta triumphed 2-1 at the Gewiss Stadium, with Lookman among the scorers.
The Bergamo outfit are unbeaten in their last three league encounters with Milan, scoring six and conceding four in that run. Milan’s last Serie A win against Atalanta dates back to February 2023.
Mateo Retegui has led the line superbly for Atalanta this season, scoring 23 goals, including seven openers. For Milan, Tijjani Reijnders, Christian Pulisic, and Leão have stood out in attack, with Reijnders top scoring on 10.
AC Milan have taken 28 points from 16 home matches this season, while Atalanta boast 10 wins in 16 away trips.
With European places on the line and two of Serie A’s most exciting forwards on display, Sunday’s clash promises fireworks at the San Siro.
This post was last modified on April 17, 2025 9:01 pm
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