Atalanta Coach Hails Super Eagles Star, Lookman For Scoring Twice Against Napoli
Atalanta coach, Gian Piero Gasperini has showered praises on Super Eagles star, Ademola Lookman following his match-winning performance against Napoli.
Lookman scored a first-half brace as Atalanta emerged 3-0 winners against the hosts at the Diego Maradona Stadium on Sunday, inflicting the first defeat of the season on Conte’s men.
He opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a volley from close range.
Lookman added the second goal just after the half-hour mark with a long-range effort to give Atalanta a 2-0 lead going into the second half.
Mateo Retegui added the third goal in the stoppage time to end Napoli’s unbeaten start to the season.
Gasperini was impressed with his team’s performance, and he particularly singled out Lookman for another decisive performance.
He said, “We think we can measure ourselves against these high-level teams. These matches are a scale for us too. We knew we had to put in a high-level performance. We have grown in personality and technique; we are undoubtedly happy.
“Lookman, De Ketelaere and Retegui are very strong, and besides them we also have Zaniolo who we couldn’t use today. Those three are on a higher step, but the others can reach it too. We can’t always use all three given the many matches, but you can also make a difference from the bench.
The win propelled Atalanta to the third position on the log, three points behind table-toppers Napoli but Gasperini is cautious about their title hopes.
He said, “We need to grow but we are getting good responses. Eleven players have arrived in the squad. Retegui has given immediate answers but today Kossounou and Brescianini also did well. Samardzic, Bellanova, there are many that I can’t list.”
Similarly, Ademola Lookman has credited his teammates for his impressive run of form this season.
The 27-year-old has scored seven goals and five assists this season for Atalanta in all competitions.
He said, “Individual achievements are part of football, but this is a team game, my squad helps me a lot. I continue working and try to help the team when I can.
“It was a big performance from the team, we’re happy and three points away to the leaders is never easy, so we’re proud of that.”
Lookman will hope to continue his rich vein of form when Atalanta travels to Stuttgart in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Atalanta Coach Hails Super Eagles Star, Lookman For Scoring Twice Against Napoli is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
