Palladino: ‘Happy about Lookman, Atalanta have a great opportunity’ | OneFootball

Raffaele Palladino says that he is happy to see Ademola Lookman back in training ahead of schedule after the Africa Cup of Nations, and believes that Atalanta have a ‘great opportunity’ when they face Athletic Club in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Atalanta sit in an impressive fifth place in the Champions League standings, level on points with PSG and Manchester City in third and fourth respectively. They all have 13 points from their first six games in the competition this season.

La Dea have also won three of their last four Serie A matches, but were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Pisa over the weekend.

Palladino on Atalanta vs. Atlethic Club, Lookman and ‘struggles’ against smaller sides

BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 10: Raffaele Palladino Head Coach of Atalanta BC looks on prior to the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Torino FC at Gewiss Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

During his pre-match press conference on Tuesday evening, Palladino was asked what it will take to earn redemption against Athletic Club on Wednesday.

“We’ll start again with the spirit that we’ve had over the last two months,” he said. “The Champions League gives you a big competitive charge, but that should also be the case in the league.

“We have a great opportunity to do well tomorrow. We’ve had six victories since the Chelsea game and that shows that the team is growing game after game.”

Palladino was asked if he thinks that Atalanta have an issue in games against ‘smaller’ sides, an accusation that has also been pointed at Cristian Chivu and Inter this season.

“It’s happening to everyone,” Palladino replied. “Anything can happen in a game, even the smaller sides can make the difference. We have to have the right mentality but we also have to give credit to our opponents.”

Palladino was asked whether he thinks 16 points will be enough to earn a spot in the Champions League round of 16 this season.

“The new format is very compelling,” he said. “However, we don’t make calculations. We think game by game. We want to make history. We’re facing a well-prepared and very strong team. They might have a few absences and a few poor results over the last few weeks, but it can all be turned around in the Champions League. Atalanta will have to put in a great performance and the difference will be in the details.”

BERGAMO, ITALY – OCTOBER 22: Ademola Lookman Ademola Lookman of Atalanta BC in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Atalanta BC and SK Slavia Praha at Stadio di Bergamo on October 22, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Palladino also confirmed that Ademola Lookman has returned from AFCON duty ahead of schedule as he wanted to be involved against Athletic Club in the Champions League.

“On paper, he was supposed to return tomorrow,” Palladino said. “But, he wanted to play in this game at all costs. He’s showing a sense of attachment to this team and I’m happy about that.”