By Nurudeen Obalola
Ademola Lookman was on target on Monday as Atalanta secured a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
The Super Eagles forward scored Atalanta’s first goal in their 2-1 home Serie A victory over AS Roma that guaranteed they will finish third and qualify for the top European competition.
The result ended Roma’s remarkable 19-match unbeaten Serie A streak and mathematically guaranteed Champions League football for Atalanta.
Lookman was an injury doubt before the match with an Achilles tendon inflammation, but the Nigeria international opened the scoring in the ninth.
With his back to goal, Lookman took a pass from Charles De Ketelaere, turned Devyn Rensch and fired home from 13 yards for his 15th Serie A goal in 30 appearances this season.
The goal and his overall performance earned Lookman the Man of the Match prize.
Bryan Cristante pulled Roma level in the 32nd minute, but Atalanta had the last word as substitute Ibrahim Sulemana struck 14 minutes from time.
Atalanta cemented their grip on third place with the win, stretching their gap on fourth-placed Juventus to seven points with two matches to go.
Roma are sixth, one point adrift of Juventus and fifth-placed Lazio.
