Serie A teams faced a disappointing exit from the Champions League, with Atalanta, Juventus, and AC Milan failing to advance. Controversial moments, including red cards and a missed penalty by Ademola Lookman, marred their campaigns. While AS Roma prepares for a crucial Europa League clash against FC Porto, only Lazio and Fiorentina remain as hopes for Italian clubs in Europe. This stark decline follows a recent resurgence highlighted by Atalanta’s success in last year’s Europa League final.
Serie A Teams Struggle in Champions League
This week, Serie A teams faced an unexpected and disappointing fate as they failed to advance to the Round of 16 in the Champions League. A series of red cards, unfortunate events, and a particularly troubling situation involving a former Bundesliga player contributed to this grim outcome. The clouds of discontent have settled heavily over Italian football, casting a shadow on its prospects.
Atalanta’s Disheartening Exit
Three clubs entered the Champions League playoffs this week with optimism, only to find themselves defeated by teams from the Benelux region. Juventus was eliminated by Eindhoven, AC Milan suffered a setback against Feyenoord due to a controversial dive resulting in a red card for Theo Hernandez, and Atalanta Bergamo fell short against Club Brugge. With Bologna already out earlier in the group stage, all eyes now rest on Inter Milan to restore some pride for Serie A in Europe.
Meanwhile, in the Europa League, AS Roma faces a crucial match against FC Porto after a 1:1 draw in the first leg. The pressure mounts as disappointment looms over the league, with Lazio and Fiorentina as the only remaining hopes in European competitions. This is a stark contrast to the recent resurgence that Italian football had celebrated.
Last year, Atalanta made headlines with their impressive performance in the Europa League final, where they outplayed Bayer Leverkusen, marking a significant moment in their history. However, the recent string of defeats has overshadowed that glory. Ademola Lookman, a former Leipzig player, has emerged as a key figure in this narrative. His remarkable journey took a positive turn after joining Atalanta, where he flourished and was named Africa’s Player of the Year in December 2024.
On the field, Lookman showcased his talent by scoring a hat trick in a match against Club Brugge, igniting hopes for a comeback. However, the team’s struggles continued, culminating in a critical penalty kick taken by Lookman that failed to find the net, further complicating their chances. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini expressed his frustration, highlighting Lookman’s poor penalty record in training, which only added to the tension within the squad.
After the match, Lookman took to social media to express his disappointment over being singled out for the missed penalty, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and respect. His heartfelt statement reflects the turmoil that has enveloped Atalanta, a club that has seen both soaring highs and crushing lows in recent times.