Tag: Ademola Lookman

Super Eagles striker Ademola Lookman’s rich vein of form  has been rewarded with  the Atalanta’s Player of the Month (POTM) for September following a series of spectacular performances.

The dynamic forward  who helped Atlanta to their  first  Europa Cup title last season, has played a pivotal role in helping his side secure vital points throughout the month, contributing both goals and assists.

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In September, Lookman’s influence was evident as Atalanta enjoyed a positive run of results, and his consistency has been key to their attacking force. His match-winning contributions helped the Bergamo-based side remain competitive in the top tier of Italian football.

The well-deserved recognition is another testament to Lookman’s growing stature in European football, as he cements his place as one of Atalanta’s most important players this season.

Scouts from Premier League heavyweights Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Newcastle United were recently spotted at Atalanta’s 3-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk, with their focus firmly set on Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, Soccernet.ng understands.

TBR Football says the English clubs are closely monitoring Lookman as a potential transfer target ahead of the January window.

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Liverpool, along with their Premier League rivals, sent representatives to the match, where the 26-year-old winger delivered an eye-catching performance, scoring his first Champions League goal and providing an assist in the dominant win.

The former Everton and Leicester City forward was named the man of the match.

Lookman, who joined Atalanta in 2022, has quickly become a key figure in their attack.

Nigeria international striker Ademola Lookman believes  the UEFA Champions League  is another platform for him to excel  even as he  enthused about Atalanta’s fine display  against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday. 

In their second game Shakhtar Donetsk, after the opening  goalless draw against Arsenal, Lookman and his Atalanta mates  put up a colourful display even  as he scored a goal and was heavily involved in the other two in the  exhilarating 3-0 win against the Ukrainian side 

“Atalanta played a great game against an excellent Champions League team like Shakhtar. The 3-0 is a great result at the European level, and we are happy both for the victory and for the team performance. We were good in duels and at every moment of the game. We want to continue on this path,” the 26-year-old forward who scored a stunning  hat-trick in last season’s Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen for Atalanta’s first European trophy, said matter-of-factly. “The Champions League is special, all players would like to play in this competition. We are happy to be part of it, and now we want to maintain this spirit and continue to fight in every single game. We must do this in the league as well, not just in Europe.”

On his Man of the Match award with his performance against Shaktar Donetsk, Lookman quipped :“It’s always nice to receive these awards. I wouldn’t have been able to do that without the team, and the team had a good performance today,” 

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Regarded as a firm favourites to be crowned  the next African Footballer of the Year  following his outstanding performances in recent times, Lookman was quoted across  Italian media platform as saying that he will continue to work hard  for the cause of Atalanta.  

“I don’t know if people’s perception of me has changed,” noted Lookman  who is already on the shortlist of the 2024 Ballon d’Or.“ I just try to improve and become stronger every day. This is the most important thing for me. And as for hard work on a daily basis, my character and goals, I’ve remained the same person as before.”

Commenting on Atalanta’s strong attacking lineup, which includes new signings like Zaniolo, Samardzic, and Retegui, Lookman said:

 “We have a very strong group of attackers, great players with different characteristics. Each one wants to play to show their qualities. Being able to take the field with players like this is wonderful for me: they help me become a better player.”

•  Nigerian ace in Team-of-the Week

Atalanta‘s Ademola Lookman and Udinese‘s Florian Thauvin were the best-performing players in Serie A round 4, as emerged from average player ratings in Italian sports papers.

Serie A Round 4 in the 2024-25 campaign is in the history books and two clear winners emerge from the latest fixtures in Italy’s top flight.

Strikers Lookman and Thauvin received the highest ratings over the weekend as both played key roles in their teams’ victories.

Atalanta beat Fiorentina 3-2 on Sunday, seeing Lookman score one goal and provide one assist. The Nigeria international was also the official Man Of the Match named by Lega Serie A.

Likewise, Thauvin inspired Udinese’s 3-2 comeback win in Parma on Monday with a brace and being named MOTM as well.

Lookman and Thauvin’s average rating from Italian sports papers was 8/10.

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Other standout performers in the latest round were Napoli‘s Alex Meret, Romelu Lukak and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who all averaged 7.5, like Bologna‘s Santiago Castro, Milan‘s Christian Pulisic and Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.

Meanwhile,  the Super Eagles winger has been named in the Serie A team of the week for MatchDay 4 as he completes a forward line that consists of Romelu Lukaku and Thauvin.

The midfield has Christian Pulisic, Youssouf Fofana, Iling Junior Samuel, and Mateo Zaccagni. Then the defense is made up of Denzel Dumfries, Theo Hernandez, and Alessandro Buongiorno. The starting eleven is completed by Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret.

AC Milan and Napoli have the most players in the team of the week after registering 4-0 wins in last week. However, Samuel Chukwueze got only eleven minutes of action for Milan and failed to register any goal contribution.

Serie A side Atalanta now are making progress in keeping Ademola Lookman at the club beyond this summer.

The Nigerian had skipped training yesterday and had previously asked to be omitted from the club’s squad for the Lecce game, with Paris Saint-Germain having made an approach for him through the agents. Arsenal and Liverpool were also linked with him yesterday.

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TuttoAtalanta have now reported that a positive meeting has taken place between La Dea and the entourage of the player and the parties have a basis to continue together. The atmosphere was relaxed and it seems quite likely that the two parties are happy with each other.

It remains to be seen if Lookman’s salary will be adjusted in the new deal and that seems to have been the demand from the agents, with the player’s wage having stayed the same in the last two years.

As of now, he seems close to staying. But a fee of €50 million could make Atalanta consider a sale.

Ademola Lookman admits Atalanta are ‘excited’ to play Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup and want to prove they ‘deserve to be here’ after winning the Europa League.

The clash kicks off at the National Stadium in Warsaw tonight  8:00 pm Nigerian time.

La Dea earned their place in this showdown thanks to the 3-0 Europa League Final victory over much-fancied Bayer Leverkusen, where Lookman was the hat-trick hero.

With Gianluca Scamacca, Giorgio Scalvini and Nicolò Zaniolo injured, plus Teun Koopmeiners left out over his transfer request to Juventus, the Nigeria international could take centre-stage again.

 “I think tomorrow night is a different occasion. Playing in the Super Cup tomorrow is a different night. So, I’m excited, happy to be involved, and looking forward to it,” he said in his press conference. “It’s not just me, but I think the whole squad is excited about the occasion. We deserve to be here through our hard work and perseverance. Tomorrow night is another chance to show that.”

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If Atalanta were the underdogs against Bayer Leverkusen, then they can multiply that status when facing Champions League serial winners Real Madrid.

 “It’s a top team of top players, who are ready at any moment. I don’t think there’s any good time to face Real Madrid. Obviously, they have their powers, but we also have quality.”

The Merengues are expected to give new signings Kylian Mbappé and Endrick their debuts, further strengthening the squad that lifted the Champions League a couple of months ago.

During this evening’s training session, coach Gian Piero Gasperini tested out a front three of Charles De Ketelaere, Mateo Retegui and Lookman, suggesting he once again believes attack is the best form of defence.