Atalanta coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, has noted that Ademola Lookman is the club’s most lively player. This is a praise of the Nigerian international despite a goalless draw against Venezia at the Gewiss Stadium.
Atalanta were held by Venezia in a frustrating match that saw the club miss vital chances that would have boosted their Serie A title chase.
Lookman was one of the players who missed clear chances when he blasted over the bar from close range after he was found unmarked by Sead Kolasinac’s flicked header.
The last time the reigning African Player of the Year missed such a chance, Gasperini was in the media lambasting his performance.
His open criticism of the player earned him several backlashes and also placed Lookman’s continued stay at the club in jeopardy.
“Lookman is and always remains our most lively player,” Sportitalia quoted Gasperini as saying after the Venezia draw.
“He had multiple chances and found himself in dangerous positions several times, but unfortunately, we weren’t sharp enough to finish them off. Retegui also had opportunities, but at the moment, we are less precise.”
This season, Lookman has scored 15 goals plus five assists in the Serie A and is Atalanta’s second-highest goal scorer behind Mateo Retegui (21), despite missing a few weeks of action due to injury.
He’s currently on the raider of Manchester United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, who is looking to boost his squad’s attack.