'Not my best performance' - Modest Atalanta forward Lookman plays down display against Shakhtar Donetsk

Ademola Lookman has played down his performance for Atalanta after he helped the Italian side record their first victory in this season's UEFA Champions League following a 3-0 drubbing of Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday night at Arena AufSchalke.

The Super Eagles forward grabbed a goal and an assist in the encounter, setting up Berat Djimsiti for the first goal before getting himself on the scoresheet before the end of the first half.

He also set up two chances and had an effort come off the crossbar, which led the UEFA's Technical Observer Panel to name him the Player of the Match after the game.

Despite his performance, the Charlton Academy product wasn't carried away with his performance against the Ukrainian side, having expressed in his post-match interview that he could have done better in the game.

In quotes relayed by Bergamo & Sport, the 26-year-old said: "It wasn't my best performance, but tonight it was essential to take the three points after the 0-0 draw with Arsenal.

"In Europe, we have a plus, we are on another level. An excellent team performance seasoned with personal happiness for the goal.

"In the league, we had some dips, but we are growing and becoming stronger. Every challenge is important, we want to do our best in both competitions because Serie A is like the Champions League".

Duván Zapata and Josip Iličić are Atalanta's joint-top scorers in the competition with seven goals apiece, and it will be interesting to see if Lookman can equal or beat their record before he leaves the club.

He has just one goal but with fixtures to come against Celtic, Young Boys, VfB Stuttgart, Real Madrid, SK Sturm Graz, and Barcelona as well as a likely progression to the knock-out stages, he can increase his tally and etch his name in Atalanta's history.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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