Lookman is set to start, and Chukwueze may come on from the bench as Atalanta and Milan duel

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman, and his national teammate, Samuel Chukwueze will go head-to-head this evening in a highly anticipated Italian Serie A clash between Atalanta and AC Milan inside the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, though Chukwueze is likely to come on as a substitute.

Lookman will be key to Atalanta’s quest to temporarily upstage leaders Napoli who are just a point ahead of La Dea. Atalanta are unbeaten in their last eight Serie A matches. Lookman contributed five goals in their last six games with four of the goals scored in the first half. Should Lookman and his teammates win this encounter, they would have succeeded in equaling their club record of nine consecutive victories, set back in 2020.

But with Supremo Gian Piero Gasperini missing from the touchline due to suspension, will Atalanta be able to sustain their winning streak? Lookman and his teammates will be tempted to answer in the affirmative.  Their attacking prowess has been particularly noteworthy this season. They lead the Serie A scoring charts by a considerable margin, having netted 36 times in just 14 matches. At home, their record is even more impressive, scoring at least twice in each of their last 11 league fixtures at the Gewiss Stadium.

With striker Gianluca Scamacca sidelined by a knee injury, Mateo Retegui is expected to lead the line, supported by Lookman and former Milan player, Charles De Ketelaere. The task of claiming all three points looks not impossible for Atalanta.

But the Rossoneri, led by Paulo Fonseca, currently sit seventh on the table, nine points behind Atalanta. They will not give up the points without a fight. Milan’s recent form has been encouraging, with a string of positive results in both domestic and European competitions. Chukwueze proved vital in just their Coppa Italia Round of 16 thrashing of Sassuolo. The pacy Nigerian scored a first-half brace to set the tone for Milan's victory dance at San Siro earlier in the week.

This Friday evening game brings together four of Serie A’s most productive players in 2024: De Ketelaere and Lookman for Atalanta, and Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic for Milan. Their performances could well decide the outcome of this crucial encounter.

As MilanNews reports, the expectation is that Fonseca will revert to the team that he was relying on most before the midweek rotation.

That means a back four of Emerson Royal, Matteo Gabbia, Malick Thiaw and Theo Hernandez in front of Mike Maignan. The French duo missed the midweek game but are back after respective dental and foot problems.

In the midfield – where the game could well be won or lost – there is no surprise to see the names of Tijjani Reijnders and Youssouf Fofana present again. The Dutchman is in brilliant form, while his partner offers a balance that will be crucial.

The trident behind the striker Alvaro Morata will consist of Yunus Musah, Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao. That means Musah will once again play in the hybrid position which he has taken up recently, acting as a stabiliser along the right side.