Lookman tipped to start against Napoli after patching up Atalanta relationship

Ademola Lookman is expected to return to Atalanta’s starting lineup against Napoli tonight after mending fences with the club following a tense spell that fuelled uncertainty over his future.

The Super Eagles forward has restored all Atalanta-related photos on Instagram, signalling a renewed calm ahead of Raffaele Palladino’s debut as manager.

Lookman’s decision to reinstate his Atalanta photos, previously archived during a period of online blackout, marks a clear shift in tone.

The Nigerian had erased all visual ties to the club on Instagram, raising alarms among fans and amplifying transfer rumours linking him with Galatasaray, as well as teams in England and Spain.

With his posts now restored and his profile picture updated, the move appears to reflect a temporary truce between the player, the club and its supporters.

His off-field situation coincided with a dip in form, as he has scored just once in ten appearances across all competitions this season after a standout campaign last year. Tensions also escalated after a disagreement with former manager Ivan Juric during a Champions League match against Marseille.

Juric’s eventual dismissal and the arrival of Raffaele Palladino have eased the strain, but Lookman still heads into the clash with Napoli needing to rediscover his spark, especially with AFCON approaching.

New Atalanta head coach Raffaele Palladino is expected to trust Lookman tonight as he begins his reign at the Stadio Maradona.

Reports indicate the 3-4-2-1 system will feature the Super Eagles star behind striker Gianluca Scamacca, alongside Charles De Ketelaere. Palladino has already expressed confidence in Lookman’s value to the team and is believed to have worked on rebuilding their relationship following the turbulent summer.

Napoli, meanwhile, enter the match with multiple injuries and a tactical reshuffle under Antonio Conte, who is switching to a three-man defence after a disappointing loss before the break.

With the champions missing Frank Anguissa, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and others, Atalanta see a real opportunity to capitalise, and Lookman’s reinstated harmony with the club may come at the perfect moment.

The match kicks off at 20:45 WAT, with fans keen to see whether Lookman’s renewed mindset translates into a decisive performance.