Soccer
Ademola Lookman endured a frustrating night as Atalanta’s Serie A title hopes suffered a significant blow following a 0-0 draw against relegation-threatened Venezia at the Gewiss Stadium, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigerian forward was at the heart of Atalanta’s best attacking moments but couldn’t find the decisive breakthrough as the Bergamo club missed the chance to close the gap on league leaders Inter Milan.
Lookman, who has been one of Atalanta’s standout performers this season, saw a late opportunity to snatch victory go begging in the 83rd minute.
Sead Kolasinac’s flicked header from a corner found Lookman unmarked at the far post, but the 27-year-old blazed his effort over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
It was a night where nothing seemed to fall Atalanta’s way, despite dominating large spells of the contest. The hosts struck the woodwork twice in the first half, with Lookman heavily involved in both openings.
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In the 39th minute, the Super Eagles star dazzled with a clever dribble into the box before setting up Davide Zappacosta with an audacious backheel pass. The former Chelsea full-back’s clipped finish struck the outside of the post, letting Venezia off the hook.
Lookman was again instrumental moments later, delivering a dangerous cross from the right that narrowly evaded Charles De Ketelaere. The loose ball fell to Juan Cuadrado at the far post, but the Colombian’s effort crashed against the post once more as Atalanta’s frustrations mounted.
The forward’s missed chances came at a difficult time following his decisive penalty miss in Atalanta’s Champions League exit earlier in the week — a moment that had already drawn sharp criticism from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
Despite the disappointment, Lookman’s numbers this season remain impressive, with 17 goals and seven assists in all competitions — a tally made even more remarkable given he missed several weeks through injury.
Atalanta were without defender Isak Hien for the fourth consecutive match due to injury, and their defensive frailties were tested on the counterattack by a resilient Venezia side fighting for survival. However, the visitors lacked the cutting edge to capitalise on their limited chances.
The result leaves Atalanta at risk of losing ground in the Serie A title race, with leaders Inter Milan and second-placed Napoli set to clash later on Saturday.
Speaking after the game, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini admitted the missed chances were a source of frustration for Lookman and Atalanta
“Ademola remains the player who creates the most danger, he often shoots on goal and is always dangerous,” Gasperini said as per TuttoAtalanta.
“It’s true that today he had some important opportunities that he didn’t make the most of, but he is still the liveliest. At the moment, we are paying dearly for the lack of precision in the final touch, in the goal that can change these blocked matches.”
With the draw, Atalanta stay third in Serie A behind Inter Milan and Napoli.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad.
From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.
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