Ademola Lookman Left Out as Atalanta Unveils Squad for Serie A Opener Against Pisa in Stunning Twist

Atalanta have officially named their 23-man squad for the opening match of the 2025-26 Serie A season against newly-promoted Pisa, but the headline-grabbing development from yesterday evening’s announcement is the absence of Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, who has been left out following his failed attempt to engineer a move away from the club during the summer transfer window. The decision has sent ripples across Italian football, as Lookman, one of Atalanta’s most influential players in recent seasons, now finds himself sidelined at a crucial juncture when the Bergamo side begins its campaign with expectations of pushing for Champions League football once again. The 26-year-old winger, who lit up Serie A with his pace, dribbling, and goals since joining Atalanta from RB Leipzig, had openly sought a transfer this summer amid interest from several Premier League clubs and top European sides, but negotiations collapsed as the club held firm on their valuation and refused to let him go for a fee they considered below market value.

The fallout has now spilled over to the team sheet, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini making the bold call to leave Lookman out of his plans entirely for the trip to Pisa, a move that has sparked heated debate among fans, pundits, and analysts alike. For Atalanta, the timing could not be more dramatic. The club is kicking off its season with hopes of maintaining their reputation as one of the most exciting teams in Italy, yet the absence of one of their star players creates uncertainty about both their attacking options and the internal dynamics within the squad. For Lookman himself, the omission raises questions about his future in Bergamo, as sitting out matches could damage both his form and his market value in the months ahead.

Reports in Italy suggest that Lookman had grown increasingly frustrated with Atalanta’s refusal to sanction his departure despite receiving interest from England and Spain. Sources close to the player revealed that he believed the summer was the right time to take the next step in his career, particularly after enjoying back-to-back impressive seasons in Serie A where he consistently contributed goals and assists. Atalanta, however, were reluctant to lose him, particularly after Rasmus Højlund’s high-profile departure to Manchester United last year left them wary of weakening their attack any further. The club hierarchy made it clear they would only consider offers exceeding €35 million, a figure that none of the interested parties were prepared to match.

As a result, Lookman has found himself stuck in limbo, and Gasperini’s decision to exclude him from the squad signals the beginning of what could be a tense stand-off between player and club. Italian media outlets have described the move as both disciplinary and strategic, suggesting that Atalanta are keen to send a message about professionalism and commitment to the team. Gasperini, known for his no-nonsense approach and tactical discipline, is believed to have insisted that only fully focused players would make the squad for the season opener, and Lookman’s push for an exit appears to have cost him his place. The omission, however, is not without risk. Atalanta are facing a Pisa side eager to prove themselves in their first top-flight campaign in over three decades, and the newly-promoted club will be buoyed by the energy of their home fans as they look to cause an upset. Without Lookman, Atalanta will rely heavily on Charles De Ketelaere, Gianluca Scamacca, and Mario Pašalić to deliver goals, while new signings will also be expected to step up and fill the void.

The development has left Atalanta supporters divided. Some fans back the club’s hardline stance, arguing that no player is bigger than the team and that discipline must come first. Others, however, fear that sidelining Lookman weakens their chances of starting the season strongly and risks creating unnecessary drama that could derail the campaign before it even gets going. For Lookman, the situation is especially precarious given that international duty looms later in the year. As a key figure for the Nigerian national team, he needs regular playing time to maintain his sharpness ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers and preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations. Being left on the fringes at club level could affect his rhythm and potentially complicate his international commitments.

The saga also adds another fascinating subplot to Serie A’s new season, which has already been billed as one of the most competitive in years. With Juventus rebuilding, Inter and Milan vying for supremacy, Napoli hoping to bounce back from last season’s decline, and Roma looking for consistency, Atalanta’s fortunes could hinge on whether they can manage this Lookman situation effectively. Should the rift deepen, January could bring renewed transfer drama, but until then, Gasperini must navigate the challenge of keeping his squad united while getting results on the pitch.

As things stand, Lookman remains an Atalanta player, but his absence from the matchday squad for the opener sends a clear signal that the relationship between him and the club is strained. The coming weeks will reveal whether this is a temporary disciplinary measure or the beginning of a longer exclusion that forces both sides back to the negotiating table before the transfer window closes in September. Fans of Pisa, meanwhile, will be encouraged by the news, sensing an opportunity to exploit Atalanta’s weakened attacking options and make a dream start to life in Serie A by taking points off a European regular.

For Atalanta, this bold decision is a gamble. Excluding one of their most dynamic forwards at such a crucial moment could either inspire the rest of the squad to rally together and show their strength, or it could destabilize the team and leave them vulnerable in a league where every point counts. Lookman’s situation will undoubtedly remain a major talking point in Italy and beyond as the season unfolds, and all eyes will now be on Gasperini’s men to see if they can rise above the storm and deliver on the pitch.

As the curtain lifts on the 2025-26 Serie A campaign, the drama surrounding Atalanta and Ademola Lookman serves as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in football. Yesterday evening’s squad announcement may have seemed like a routine step ahead of a season opener, but the omission of a star player has transformed it into one of the biggest stories in Italian football. Whether this decision proves to be a masterstroke of discipline or the beginning of a costly fallout will depend on how Atalanta navigate the weeks ahead. For now, one thing is certain: the absence of Ademola Lookman has cast a long shadow over Atalanta’s season debut, and the football world will be watching closely to see how this high-stakes drama unfolds.