Soccer
Super Eagles and Atalanta forward, Ademola Olajade Lookman, swept his midweek penalty debacle under the carpet as he scored a brace in his side’s 5-0 win over Empoli, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 27-year-old was the centre of attention in La Dea’s UEFA Champions League clash against Club Brugge after he missed a spot-kick from twelve yards, and was labelled as the worst penalty taker by the club coach, Gian Piero Gasperini.
Lookman hit back at his manager, claiming he didn’t appreciate being singled out for the team’s failures. Today, he showed his importance to the 2024 UEFA Europa League winners.
Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
Lookman returned to the starting XI for the first time since suffering a knee injury in late January and immediately threatened after ninety seconds as he rolled a cross into Mateo Retegui’s path but the Italian’s attempt was cut out by Giuseppe Pezzella.
Ghana’s Emmanuel Gyasi scored an own goal to give Gasperini’s side the lead after Davide Zappacosta’s cross took a big deflection off the winger’s chest.
Atalanta doubled their lead from a short corner. Lookman’s cross was flicked on by Berat Djimsiti for Retegui to side-foot home his 21st Serie A goal of the season.
Retegui turned provider for Atalanta’s third goal. The 25-year-old’s through ball nutmegged a defender before the ball got to Lookman. The Nigerian rolled it under the sole of his boot to get away from Empoli’s goalkeeper and pass the ball into an empty goal.
Ademola Lookman will make goals so easy.
Look at this
pic.twitter.com/W69awNU3Nn— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) February 23, 2025
Lookman added Atalanta’s fourth with a brilliant left-footed finish after a pass from Martin De Roon saw him beat Liberato Cacace for pace. The former RB Leipzig man has now scored 17 goals and provided seven assists in 29 games across all competitions.
Ademola Lookman completes his brace, increasing Atalanta’s lead to a commanding 0-4 over Empoli ⚽
Video Courtesy : SerieA#SerieA #Empoli #Atalanta pic.twitter.com/eSWEi84Y6B
— STARZPLAY | ستارزبلاي (@STARZPlayArabia) February 23, 2025
Lookman was taken off after 76 minutes and shook hands with assistant manager, Tullio Gritti, but not the team’s head coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, as per Football Italia.
MVP smile ⭐️ #EmpoliAtalanta #GoAtalantaGo ⚫️ pic.twitter.com/k77jJJZwxB
— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) February 23, 2025
Davide Zappocasta scored Atalanta’s fifth goal with a powerful shot from outside the box to put La Dea within three points of the Serie A leaders, Inter Milan.
Nerazzurri a ️ stelle
A five-star display from these lads @acqua_lete | #EmpoliAtalanta 0-5 FT #GoAtalantaGo ⚫️ pic.twitter.com/ilKeU9PEZW
— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) February 23, 2025
Atalanta have now won three of their last nine Serie A games, with Lookman’s injury playing a vital role in their loss of form. His return should spark extra life into their Scudetto pursuit.
Adefolahan Guerreiro
Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria.
With a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience.
He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.
Read MoreAdefolahan Guerreiro