Ademola Lookman was in action for Atalanta as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Marseille in the first leg of their Europa League semifinal at the Orange Vélodrome Stadium on Thursday night.
The Nigeria international hopped off the bench as a replacement for Gianluca Scamacca in the 59th minute of the entertaining contest – his ninth appearance in this season’s Europa League.
The Nerazzurri started well, scoring an early goal in the eleventh minute through Scamacca, who drilled a low shot into the far corner for his sixteenth goal in all competitions in 2023-2024.
Marseille responded well after falling behind, with the Ligue 1 team equalizing in the 20th minute when Chancel Mbemba sent a curling effort into the far corner via the inside of the post.
Lookman had an opportunity to score the winner shortly after his introduction but blazed his effort wide from a tight angle.
Speaking post-match, Lookman told UEFA’s official website: “We started off with a good goal, a good start, we went 1-0 up. They obviously got their goal 1-1. So it was a pretty even game.
“They had chances, we had chances. Ultimately 1-1 away from home is a positive result so next game we’ll look to hopefully be in the final.”
Atalanta are in the semifinal of a European competition for the first time in 36 years and have a real chance of getting to the final for the first time in their history.
Lookman believes the return leg next week at Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo will be a big game.
“It’s massive. It’s massive for the club. For as players and staff to experience this and to hopefully be in the final is massive. So you know, full concentration and full focus on that game.”