LOOKMAN: Gasperini believes in my ability

• Published date: 22 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

That Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman is one of the best strikers in the elite division of Italy football is impressive, though he has not concluded his first season in the Serie A.

Lookman stands close to his Super Eagles teammate Victor Osimhen who has notched 12 Serie A goals in 14 matches. Lookman has nine goals 17 games to ahead of oldies Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez (9), Eden Dreko (7), and Immobile of Lazio (7).

Lookman hit the ground running in August shortly after his transfer from Leipzig. Away to Sampdoria, Lookman had come to Bergamo just a few days before.

In the 63rd min ute, he replaced Luis Muriel and instantly got into the fray to seal a 2-0 victory at Sampdoria in stoppage time.

He said of the goal five months ago. 'I was very happy to score that goal, just happy to make my debut, to get minutes in my first game, to be able to score and help the team win was the cherry on top'

After that great start, the 25-year-old, born in England but with a Nigerian passport, had to wait a whole month to find the back of the net again. Soon though he became his club's most prolific striker thus far in the campaign - and his celebration has become one of the most popular and recognizable in Serie A.

Lookman who has a goal to his name for Nigeria, said the club's supporters have largely helped him to settle down well.

'Our fans are amazing for 90 minutes they don't stop singing, cheering, despite results, we may be winning or losing but they are always behind us, as a squad and as a team we feel the love they have for us and we appreciate that.'

As a striker, the main task is to score goals, but if your team goes by the name of Atalanta, you first have to set tle into their playing system. It took Lookman less time than any other new Bergamaschi signing in recent years.

He also has kind words for team gaffer Gian Piero Gasperini, who he attributed the players' drive and tenacity to.

'Definitely, Mr. Gasperini is a very intelligent and hard-working man, everybody knows he is a very tough man also, he wants and demands the most from all of us, on the training pitch and on the match day. In that way is very clear in his understanding of how he wants us to attack and defend.'

Lookman has also left his mark in assists. His first eight Serie A matches saw him record two goals and three assists...