Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has set his sights on securing a UEFA Champions League ticket with Atalanta either through Serie A standings or winninig the Europa League trophy, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 26-year-old continued his hot form in his side’s 2-0 win over Empoli at the Gewiss Stadium on Sunday. Lookman scored Atalanta’s second goal of the game in the 51st minute, after assisting Mario Pasalic’s earlier strike.

Atalanta currently hold the sixth spot in Serie A, having accumulated 57 points from 33 matches. They trail Roma by two points, with Roma having played one more game.

With the new UEFA Champions League format scheduled to kick off next season, Serie A will secure five qualification spots. Consequently, if the standings remain unchanged, Roma would secure one of these spots.

La Dea also have a chance to book a UCL ticket by winning the Europa League where they are currently in the semis. Their last foray into the Champions League occurred two seasons ago.

Reflecting on La Dea’s recent triumph, Lookman emphasised the importance of the victory against Empoli.

“This victory is very important because we have to reach the Champions League. We also have commitments in the Italian Cup and the Europa League, winning today was important,” Lookman said told DAZN as reported by Tuttoatalanta.

In response to questions about the fierce competition with Roma, Lookman confidently stated that Atalanta is ready for the challenge in their quest to win both the Europa League and the Italian Cup where they will face Juventus in the final on May 15.

“Yes, Roma are a strong team but so are we. We know that every match is difficult but we are ready to try to win them all,” he said.

Concerning the Europa League semi-final clash with Olympique Marseille, Lookman added, “It will be a difficult match but we are confident that we can achieve a positive result and then we will see.”

Atalanta find themselves on the brink of European success as they gear up to face Marseille in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals with the first-leg taking place on Thursday.

A victory in this crucial tie would propel them to the finals, where they are poised to meet either rivals AS Roma or Lookman’s compatriots in Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella.

Should Atalanta win this trophy, it will be their first since a remarkable triumph in the Coppa Italia during the 1962/63 season and their second trophy ever.