Atalanta secured an emphatic 6-1 victory over Swiss side Young Boys in a UEFA Champions League clash, despite the absence of their talismanic forward, Ademola Lookman, in the starting lineup.
The Nigerian international was included in the squad but rested on the bench following his goal-scoring performance in their weekend win against Parma.
Despite Lookman’s absence, Atalanta’s attacking arsenal proved more than capable. In-form Italian striker Mateo Retegui netted twice (9th and 39th minutes), while Belgian playmaker Charles De Ketelaere also bagged a brace (28th and 56th minutes). Sead Kolasinac (31st minute) and Lazar Samardžić (90th minute) rounded off the scoring in a ruthless performance that overwhelmed the hosts.
Silvère Ganvoula M’boussy’s 11th-minute goal for the hosts proved to be a consolatory one.
The comprehensive win moves Atalanta to fourth place, putting them in an automatic round-of-16 qualification spot under the new Champions League format. Atalanta remains unbeaten in this season’s competition with three wins and two draws.
Meanwhile, Young Boys remain rooted at 36th on the log.
Lookman is expected to return to action for La Dea this weekend when they visit Rome to face a struggling AS Roma side.
