The Nigerian international has had no equal in Europe this year and had been sensational since switching to the Italian top flight last August
Super Eagles attacker, Ademola Lookman has credited his maturity and experience for his excellent goals return in only his first season in the Italian Serie A.
Lookman netted his 12th Serie A goal of the campaign to power Atalanta to a convincing 2-0 win over struggling Sampdoria at the Gewiss Stadium on Saturday.
That is the most Lookman has ever scored in a single season in his career.
The 25-year-old managed six goals in 26 Premier League games for Leicester last term, which was better than the five he grabbed for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga during the 2017/18 campaign.
In total, across 96 matches in the EPL, Lookman registered 11 goals and six assists. But the former Fulham winger now boasts 12 goals and four assists in only 19 Serie A games.
And when asked how come he didn’t score so much in previous spells at other clubs, Lookman told Sky Sport (via Tutto Atalanta):
“Different circumstances, I’m more mature now and I hope to continue like this.
“I’m happy for the fans, I helped give away the three points with my goal. We work hard for this.”
With five goals in 2023, Lookman is the most prolific player in any of Europe’s top five leagues – finding the net more times than Victor Osimhen, Erling Haaland, and Robert Lewandowski.
Lookman’s goal contribution in Italy would have surprised even his biggest supporter, yet the Super Eagles forward insists he knew he was coming to Italy to steal the show.
When asked if he expected to become so important for Atalanta, Lookman responded:
“Yes, I was sure of it. Maybe it was a surprise for you but not for me. I came here to be the protagonist.”
The win over Sampdoria lifts Atalanta to third place, levelled on 38 points with champions AC Milan and one more than Lazio and AS Roma, having played a game more.
Champions League football is increasingly looking likely for Atalanta but Lookman maintains that the Goddess are taking it one step at a time, starting with their next fixture – a crunch Coppa Italia clash with Inter Milan on Tuesday.
“We have to think step by step, starting with the Coppa Italia,” Lookman said when asked if Atalanta’s aim this term is the Champions League qualification. “We have to fight until the end.”
This post was last modified on January 29, 2023 9:47 am