Goal drought: Has Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman found his strength again?

Returning from a lengthy injury spell, a visit to Nigeria looks to be the turning point for Lookman as he scored again last week

Super Eagles and Atalanta forward, Ademola Lookman, was back with a bang after the international break, scoring a goal in Atalanta’s loss to Fiorentina. The twenty-five-year-old last scored for his club side on the first day in the month of April against Cremonese.

The forward came on at half-time in that game to help his side secure a win. Lookman also started the next match against Bologna, but could only play fifty-two minutes before he hobbled off with an injury.

The muscle injury saw Lookman miss the final seven games of the Serie A season, but before the injury, the former Leicester City forward had scored thirteen goals and assisted another six in twenty starts for the La Dea Gli Orobici.

His output put him in fifth position amongst the top-scorer rankings, just behind A.C. Milan’s Rafael Leao, Salernitana’s Boulaye Dia, Inter Milan’s Lautaro, and fellow countryman, Victor Osimhen.

The departure of Rasmus Winther Højlund to Manchester United means there will be less competition for starting spots up front, but the Nigerian striker is yet to nail down a regular berth with Atalanta this season, playing just a hundred and eighty-two minutes before the international break.

He was drifted out wide by Jose Peseiro for the Super Eagles game against São Tomé and Príncipe. He played ninety minutes as Nigeria ran riot in Uyo, winning 6-0. Lookman scored a goal and assisted another in the outing and that looked to be a confidence boost for him.

Over the weekend, despite Atalanta’s loss, Lookman found his scoring touch in his fifty-nine minutes of play against Fiorentina.

Earlier, ahead of the Super Eagles game against Guinea-Bissau, Lookman revealed to Soccernet.ng that he is looking to bounce back from his low form anytime soon.

However, with his recent form, the Nigerian attacker, having shown what the Bergamo fans have been missing, will be looking to build on his form as things unfold in the 2023/2024 season campaign.