Ademola Lookman has been one of Atalanta key players so far this season after disappointing spells with Everton and Fulham. The 24-year-old moved to the Gewiss Stadium from Leicester City in a €9m deal in the summer and has already left his mark with six goals and three assists in 13 games in total this season. His goal against Fiorentina, helped La Dea take all three points and join Napoli at the top of the Serie A table.
After finishing last season outside Europe, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have begun 2022-23 on a high note and have only lost a game to top of the table Napoli.
They may not be as spectacular as in the past, but they have won eight matches, drawn thr33 and lost two. They have scored 19 goals and conceded 10 goals with Lookman having the highest of six.
Mola, as the Nigerian striker is fondly called by fans, is giving a crucial contribution up front despite not being a regular starter yet. The Nigeria international has played three games from the start but has featured in every Serie A match so far.
Lookman was born in London in 1997 and is a product of Charlton Academy. He played for England’s youth teams including 11 matches with the U21 squad, but eventually picked the senior Nigeria squad, making his debut this year before his move to Italy. So far, he has made five appearances and scores once for the Super Eagles.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve known about the club’s interest and obviously, I am here and ready to get to work,” Lookman said in August, in his first interview as an Atalanta player.
“For me, the platform here is amazing, it’s a massive club in Italy, they play attacking football so for me it was an easy decision to make.”
His pace and versatility have proved to be key for La Dea as Gasperini has used the product of Charlton Academy as a centre forward, support striker or right winger.
Lookman also played for Everton, Leicester City and Fulham in England, but struggled to impose himself in the Premier League. He managed four goals in 48 appearances with the Toffees, eight in 42 matches with the Foxes and four in 35 with the Cottagers.
He didn’t play any of the two Europa League games between Everton and Atalanta in 2017-18, but La Dea was somehow in his destiny.
The 24-year-old spent a year and a half on loan at Leipzig, first in 2018, from January to June, and then in 2019-20.
He scored six Premier League goals in 26 appearances with the Foxes last season, but the early signs in his first months with Atalanta are even more exciting.
HIS GOALS
Lookman admits he’s relishing his experience with Atalanta and Serie A after finding the net against Sassuolo last month. The goal was crucial taking them to the top of the league temporarily.
It was Sassuolo who had taken the surprise lead in Bergamo with a ferocious Giorgos Kyriakopoulos volley, the first time La Dea had been in a trailing situation this season.
However, they gave a strong response, turning it around with Mario Pasalic and Lookman, both on Brandon Soppy assists either side of half-time. “It was another tough match against another tough opponent, we’re glad to get the three points. The boys dug in deep and it was a resilient performance,” Lookman told Sky Sport Italia.
Read Also: Serie A: Osimhen, Lookman listed for player of the month
Atalanta were temporarily top of the table on 24 points after the game, their best ever start of the league, but they came short against Scudetto contenders, Napoli, suffering a 2-1 defeat, with Lookman, countrymate, Victor Osimhen, proving to be the tormentor-in-chief.
He said of the memorable match, where he scored from the spot first before Napoli rallied back to net two.
“Obviously that’s a top match. Like I said before, we take it game by game, we’ve been doing that and getting results. We were top of the table temporarily. We’ll see how it goes.”
This has been Lookman’s best ever start to a season, a real revelation since his €9m transfer from RB Leipzig, although he was on loan at Leicester City last term.
“I am very happy to be here, I feel very settled in the squad and the city. I am enjoying my football. Long may it continue!”
Mola was rewarded for his loyalty with the Player of The Month for October award.
According to the club’s website, it did not come as a surprise to the fans and management.
“Your votes have crowned Ademola Lookman as Player of The Month for October! The outcome of the voting has never been in question: in the last weeks, Mola bluntly annihilated the competition, as the Nigerian winger was at his best, scoring 4 goals in his last 5 games. His goals were undoubtedly a key asset in tightening Atalanta’s grip on the top of the league table: who else but him to be crowned ItalianOptic POTM then!
“Mola was off to an astonishing start: his match-winner against Fiorentina, the match-opener in Udine, another goal to make it three points against Sassuolo and the one to seal the win over Empoli. The key role of these goals was the factor that tipped the scales in Lookman’s favour for the pick of this POTM voting, it goes without saying.”
Lookman however, believes the award is for the team. He was full of praises for teammate upfront Luis Muriel, who is behind half of his goals thanks to his assists.
Muriel clinched a well-deserved second place. The Colombian striker was back to his scoring ways last month while also serving Lookman two assists.
Sitting in third place was Marco Sportiello, the Atalanta keeper who seized the opportunity after Musso’s injury and has been impressive.
UNFORGETTABLE GOAL
In all the matches that ‘Mola’ has played so far, the Matchday 12 of the 2022-2023 Serie A, between Atalanta and Empoli and against Monza would remain evergreen.
Atalanta beat Empoli 2-0 at the Stadio Castellani in Empoli with goals from Hateboer and Lookman.
After a Destro cheeky lob landed on the roof of the net and a Lookman finish charged down by Vicario, Gasperini’s men almost took the lead in the 16th minute through Éderson, whose sudden finishes were charged down by the Empoli goalkeeper. The deadlock was broken in the 32nd minute by Hateboer, who collected Lookman’s scuffed effort and found the right gap to beat Vicario. Atalanta had a huge chance to double their lead on 42 minutes when they were awarded a penalty for Destro’s handball but Vicario managed to parry Koopmeiners’ penalty with his leg.
The second half started with a chance each, coming off Højlund and Marin respectively. Lookman doubled Atalanta’s lead in the 59th minute with a splendid solo move, who dribbled past a few defenders and drilled into the near bottom corner. Empoli threatened in the 70th minute with Destro, as his effort skimmed the crossbar. Lookman came close to bagging a brace in the 75th minute but was denied by Vicario. Musso had to make a huge save on Walukiewicz’s finish on 84 minutes (Ebouhei tapped in on the follow-up but was offside).
In the match against Monza, he provided the assist for Højlund, who scored the opener at Monza, and doubled Atalanta’s lead, although the Lega Serie A decided the team’s second goal was a Marlon own goal. It was certainly an important evening for Lookman.
“We created a lot more chances in the second half, we played a lot better and we won the game. I’m enjoying it here. Italian football is tough but I’m adapting every single day and I’m working hard to be better.
“That’s the most important thing. we’re winning games and we’re there about. I think it’s a testament to our work on the pitch and training every single game, wanting to be better and striving to be better. That’s the most important,” Lookman added.