Atalanta head coach Raffaele Palladino has revealed how he reinstated the goalscoring form of Super Eagles striker Ademola Lookman, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 28-year-old, after a torrid summer that saw him denied a move to Inter Milan, scored just one goal in 11 games under Ivan Juric, not to mention the physical touchline scuffle with the former Southampton coach against Marseille.
However, La Dea parted ways with Juric and brought in Palladino to replace the Croatian. While a loss to Napoli marked his debut, he has now won two games in a row, sealing victories against Eintracht Frankfurt and Fiorentina.
In those wins, Lookman found the back of the net, an action he’s not replicated since last season, and the ex-Fulham man is sure his dark days are now behind him.
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Palladino delighted with Atalanta start
Two wins in two games has seen the 2024 UEFA Europa League winners go just ten points short of the top four, and the former Monza manager was delighted with his players’ reaction.
“It has been a good week, with a victory in the Champions League and a win here in Serie A, which had been missing for a while,” Palladino told Sky Sport Italia.
“We were up against an opponent that is alive and kicking today, who really wanted to get a result, but we showed patience and created many scoring opportunities.
“There was the risk of conceding, but our forwards were clinical. I saw what I expected, and now we must continue like this.
“The credit is down to the lads, I simply brought my ideas and tactical principles.
“When there is a change of coach, inevitably, the mood in the group isn’t the best, so I tried to create a dialogue, even friendship, and showed every player they had responsibility.
“I spoke to everyone, but if there wasn’t already a strong group here, I wouldn’t have seen such a quick response,” the 41-year-old explained.
“I don’t have a magic wand; I just tried to give an identity to this team. The lads all feel fully involved, and I like that spirit. This is the mentality and the DNA of Atalanta that I want to see.
“We took risks today, but I appreciated the courage of the squad.”
The secret behind Lookman’s newfound form
The former RB Leipzig forward isn’t just scoring goals and creating them; he even looks happier and in tune with his teammates, and Palladino revealed that a simple individual conversation turned things around with the 2024 CAF POTY.
“With Lookman, I did exactly what I did with the rest of the team: I spoke individually,” the ex-Fiorentina coach said in quotes revealed by Tutto Atalanta.
“A few words were enough, because he is a smart guy who immediately understands.
“I was clear, he was very clear with me: we want to go in the same direction because we both want to bring Atalanta as high as possible.
“He’s doing a good job in the offensive phase, but I stress his defensive contribution: he’s in the match.
“I’m happy for his goals; he’s an essential asset. As for De Ketelaere, he is in a great place: he must feel free, because he is one of those players who “move” the balances.
“And then there’s Scamacca, but even those who take over as Krstovic or Sulemana do well. I have a very strong attacking park, and I believe blindly in them,” Palladino concluded.
Lookman’s newfound form will be a boost to the Super Eagles as they look to go all out in securing the AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco.
