“Thorn in Juventus side” – How Italy celebrated Super Eagles star Lookman after big Atalanta win

The Italian media has been singing the praises of Ademola Lookman following the Nigeria international's brilliant display in Atalanta’s 4-0 humbling of Juventus on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports. 

Lookman was the star of the show as Atalanta stormed to a stunning victory over Juventus at the Allianz Stadium to reignite their Scudetto ambitions.

The Super Eagles forward delivered another exceptional performance, capping it off with the fourth goal after Mateo Retegui, Marten de Roon, and Davide Zappacosta had already put Gian Piero Gasperini’s side in control.

Lookman’s strike was a significant milestone in his Atalanta career, bringing his tally to 50 goals across all competitions since joining the Italian outfit in 2022. His overall contribution now stands at 50 goals and 22 assists in 109 appearances for the Bergamo-based club.

This season alone, the Super Eagles star has been in red-hot form, netting 18 goals and providing seven assists in 31 matches, playing a crucial role in Atalanta’s push for the Serie A title.

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Italian media in awe of Lookman’s performance

The Italian press was full of praise for Lookman’s dazzling display, with leading newspapers hailing him as a key figure in Atalanta’s emphatic win.

La Gazzetta dello Sport rated Lookman 7.5, stating: “Not relentless at shooting first and unlucky at the post, but he creates the 2-0 and discards Vlahovic's gift.”

Similarly, Corriere della Sera gave him the same rating, adding: “In the end, he even scores, but he had already shown his skills in pressing and assaulting.”

Corriere dello Sport went even further, awarding him an 8 and describing him as “a thorn in Juve’s side at full speed and full dribbling. He repeatedly tries to score, comes close three times before putting the exclamation point on the Goddess' great night.”

Tuttosport echoed this sentiment, also giving him an 8, saying: “He's scary in tight spaces, and so is his speed of execution. He has a hand in all of La Dea's goals, until he too hits the back of the net, after hitting the post and Di Gregorio’s miracles in the first half.”

TuttoAtalanta was even more generous, rating him 8.5 and declaring him “the symbol of the Nerazzurri victory.” Their analysis continued: “A sumptuous and overwhelming performance. The first half was made of suffocating pressing and precise assists, the second half crowned by the personal goal that sealed a match of a great champion.”

Meanwhile, TMW awarded him another 8, describing his performance as “bordering on perfection.”

Lookman’s remarkable journey continues

Ademola Lookman has enjoyed a meteoric rise to lofty heights since he joined Atalanta three years ago.

Following a difficult spell at RB Leipzig, where he was loaned out to Fulham and Leicester City, the Nigerian forward has found his best form in Italy.

Let’s keep going like this. Together! pic.twitter.com/L8YdmMnL3z

— Ademola Lookman (@Alookman_) March 9, 2025

Since his arrival in Bergamo, he has been a vital cog in Gasperini’s system, playing a key role in their historic UEFA Europa League triumph, where he made history with a stunning hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.

Sunday’s emphatic victory propelled Atalanta to third place in Serie A, just three points behind league leaders Inter Milan, keeping them in the hunt for a potential title challenge.

His outstanding form has also earned him a place in Nigeria’s 39-man provisional squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle will be hoping Lookman can carry his club form into the national team as Nigeria seeks to secure vital wins on the road to the World Cup.