Atalanta 3–3 Opatija: Isaac Success’s brother on target as Croatian side punish Lookman’s team
Nigeria and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman. Photo by IMAGO
Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta were held to a 3-3 draw by Croatian second-division side NK Opatija in a preseason friendly on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Goodness Ajayi—the elder brother of Nigerian international Isaac Success—was among the scorers who helped the visitors secure a draw.
Played in Zingonia, the match was cut to 75 minutes for player safety, with a 45-minute first half and a 30-minute second half.
Ivan Juric with Atalanta U-23 training. [Photo Credit/ Imago].Atalanta boss Ivan Juric used only 13 players, giving most of the starting XI extended minutes after a separate friendly in Cologne the day before.
Kamaldeen Sulemana opened the scoring for the Nerazzurri in the 23rd minute after being set up by Lazar Samardzic, but Opatija’s Zibanovic quickly leveled.
Ajayi Goodness Ohiremen. Copyright: Imago
Ibrahim Sulemana restored Atalanta’s lead with a fine strike from outside the box before the visitors turned the game on its head—Zibanovic grabbing his second on the stroke of halftime and Ajayi, cousin of Al-Hilal SC’s Junior Ajayi, firing them ahead in the 49th minute.
GOOOOOL ⚽
Laki pareggia dagli undici metri!
Samardžić puts us level!#AtalantaOpatija 3-3 | 71’ #GoAtalantaGo ⚫️
— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) August 10, 2025
Samardzic rescued the Italians late on, winning and converting a penalty into the top corner to seal the draw.
British defender Ben Godfrey completed the full match, while Malian striker El Bilal Touré sat out again amid speculation over a move abroad.
Nigeria Super Eagles stars Ademola Lookman. IMAGO/foto Daniele Buffa/
Meanwhile, Lookman, who found himself at the center of a transfer drama between his camp and his club, was absent from the clash.
With the hope of Lookman participating, Atalanta will host an open training session at their home ground on Wednesday evening before taking on Juventus in the Bortolotti Trophy next Saturday.
Ayomide Oguntimehin
Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and Editor at Soccernet.ng, with a proven track record in conducting interviews with Super Eagles stars such as William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ademola Lookman, and many others. He has also made a significant impact in breaking transfer news stories.
Grounded in video editing, video journalism, social media management, and content strategy, Ayomide brings a wealth of expertise to his work.
