Ademola Lookman has emerged as a standout player for Atalanta in Serie A this season. The Nigeria international is thriving in Bergamo following his departure from RB Leipzig last summer. His contributions have been crucial in helping Gian Piero Gasperini’s side pursue a spot in European competition for the next season. Lookman, 25, previously accumulated 18 goal contributions in 98 Premier League appearances for Everton, Fulham, and Leicester City. During his loan spell with the Foxes from Leipzig last season, he scored six goals in 26 top-flight matches, which caught Atalanta’s attention and led to his move to Serie A. One of his most memorable goals for Leicester was the decisive strike in a 1-0 victory over Liverpool. However, he made fewer appearances for the East Midlands club in the latter half of the campaign, often failing to complete 90 minutes. Concerns about his perceived lack of effort and defensive diligence were common, but since his switch to Italy, he has faced little criticism regarding his performances.
Lookman’s recent brace in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Juventus highlighted his improved form in front of goal. Only his Nigerian teammate Victor Osimhen has scored more Serie A goals than Lookman this season, and he has already matched his total from five seasons in the Premier League. The four-cap international has scored six goals in his last three games across all competitions as Atalanta pursues European qualification and Coppa Italia success. His movement and decision-making have significantly improved, as evidenced by his statistics with the high-scoring side. Averaging 2.72 shots per 90 minutes and 1.98 chances created per game, Lookman provides a vital cutting edge and creative spark. This was exemplified by a guided header past Wojciech Szczesny for his second goal against Juventus, showcasing not only his finishing ability but also his intelligent positioning in front of the experienced Alex Sandro.
Born to Nigerian parents, Lookman aspired to play for England but did not make the cut, despite earning 31 youth caps across three age groups from the Under-19s to U-21s. After declining multiple approaches from the Nigerian national team, he ultimately decided to represent the Super Eagles, a decision that was approved in February 2022. Lookman made his debut in a World Cup play-off against Ghana and scored his first goal in a 10-0 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying victory over Sao Tome and Principe. If he can maintain his prolific domestic form on the international stage, Lookman is poised to be a player to watch at next year’s AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast.
Gian Piero Gasperini has praised Lookman following his impressive performance against Juventus. The 64-year-old Italian coach credited the new director of football, Lee Congerton, for successfully bringing Lookman to Italy, noting that Congerton was familiar with the player from their time together at Leicester. Gasperini remarked, “This new director, who is responsible for scouting, spotted these players. He knew him [Lookman] because they were together at Leicester.” He also highlighted the club’s important investment in Lookman and fellow player Rasmus Hojlund, stating that both have been instrumental in the team’s success. On Lookman’s display against Juventus, he commented, “Lookman had an extraordinary performance. We conceded two goals in the first half by losing the ball pretty cheaply, and those are situations where we should’ve been more careful. We always had character and quality, even in games where the results were a bit like tonight. I saw a definite growth from the start of the season, partly because of the freshness and personality of these lads who arrived.” Currently, Atalanta sits sixth in the table, just two points away from the Champions League spots, and could rise as high as second if results favor them this weekend, especially with AC Milan struggling and Juventus facing a 15-point deduction. If Lookman continues his exhilarating form in front of goal, Gasperini’s young stars may seize their moment to shine.
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