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The Atalanta boss lauded the improved Super Eagles forward after La Dea’s 1-1 Europa League last-16 first-leg encounter against Sporting Lisbon.
Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini believes Ademola Lookman can be even better if he “stops hiding”.
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22:58 - 03.03.2024
Ademola Lookman: Gasperini’s striking observation after forward’s goal against Bologna
The Atalanta boss was not interested in focusing on Ademola Lookman alone after the Super Eagles forward netted on his first start since AFCON 2023 in La Dea’s defeat by Bologna.
Sporting Lisbon 1-1 Atalanta
The La Dea boss was speaking after the Italian side were unfortunate to only draw 1-1 against Sporting CP in their Europa League round of 16 first-leg clash at Estadio Jose Alvalade on Wednesday, with the Serie A side hitting the woodwork three times and having a late El Bilal Toure effort ruled out for a marginal offside.
Atalanta’s response to falling behind was commendable, with Gianluca Scamacca levelling in the game's 39th minute after Paulinho put the home side 1-0 up after 17 minutes.
It stayed that way for the rest of the game despite several efforts hitting the woodwork, including Lookman’s, whose ingenuity created the chance for the AFCON 2023 star.
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What Gasperini said about Lookman after Atalanta’s draw with Sporting
Gasperini was pleased with the Nigeria international’s menace in the attacking third and lauded the former Leicester City man’s improvement since moving to Bergamo last season.
"Before he did not play offensive, he scored 6-7 goals a year on average, he played much more on the wing, he was more on the periphery of games without great confidence in front of goal,” assessed the Atalanta head coach. “Now he has become a player who becomes a danger in the final 20 meters because of his quickness, ball-striking and strong mentality.
“I occasionally have to motivate him to become an even more complete player because he has the physical qualities to do so. Now and then, he hides a little, but he can be a reference player for the team. This year is undoubtedly better than last year.”
Lookman missed five games at the start of 2024 due to his participation at the Africa Cup of Nations, where he netted three times en route to Nigeria's run to the competition's decider against tournament hosts Ivory Coast.
Gasperini had wanted Lookman to be away for a short period due to the forward’s form before the finals, but La Dea won four and drew one of their Serie A games while the 26-year-old was away. The Super Eagles forward netted in Sunday’s 2-1 loss against Bologna at the Gewiss Stadium on his first start since returning from Cup of Nations duty.
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21:12 - 03.03.2024
Lookman scores first goal since AFCON 2023 as Atalanta fall to superior Bologna
The Super Eagles star scored his first goal since returning from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations but it was not enough as Atalanta lost to Bologna
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12:13 - 04.03.2024
‘A game of two halves’ — How a disappointed Lookman reacted to Atalanta’s loss to Bologna
The AFCON 2023 star netted on his first Atalanta start since returning from Super Eagles duty, but the forward’s goal was not enough for La Dea.
What comes next for Atalanta and Lookman?
Lookman and his teammates return to league action on Sunday against Juventus, keen to return to winning ways after four games in all competitions without a win.
Gasperini’s men host Sporting in the return leg of their last-16 tie next Thursday and welcome Fiorentina on March 17 before the international break.
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