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Atalanta’s head coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, has praised Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman for significantly contributing to the team’s impressive start to the current season.
Gasperini’s praise of Ademola Lookman came after the Nigeria international was an unused substitute in Atalanta’s commanding 6-1 victory in the UEFA Champions League against Young Boys.
Despite Lookman’s absence from the game, Atalanta delivered a near-flawless performance, with standout contributions from players such as Charles de Ketelaere, Mateo Retegui, and Sead Kolasinac, who all played crucial roles in the team’s dominant victory.
Gasperini took the time to acknowledge Lookman’s essential contributions during the previous season, emphasizing that the foundation for their current successes was built upon the achievements of players like him.
“We are enjoying a very good spell of form both in Italy and Europe,” Gasperini stated after the match. He expressed satisfaction with the team’s performances and results, reflecting on how the past successes are instilling confidence within the squad.
“Winning the Europa League last season has been pivotal; it has helped us grow in both confidence and self-belief. We’ve seen several new players arrive who are showing great improvement, but it was last season’s success, driven by key players like Lookman, that truly set the tone for our current campaign.”
Lookman played a monumental role in Atalanta’s Europa League victory last season, where he famously netted a historic hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen. This outstanding performance not only handed the German champions their only defeat of that season but also helped establish Lookman as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards.
Since joining Atalanta in 2022, Ademola Lookman has consistently demonstrated stellar form, making him a prime target for several elite clubs across Europe, including Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid.
This season alone, Lookman has scored an impressive nine goals and provided five assists in just 15 appearances, leading to speculation that Atalanta values him at over £60 million.
As Atalanta looks ahead to their upcoming fixtures, which include a crucial trip to the Stadio Olimpico to face AS Roma, along with high-stakes matches against AC Milan and Real Madrid at their home ground, the Gewiss Stadium, Lookman’s influence on the team remains pivotal.
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