Gasperini: Atalanta owe Lookman and Lookman also owes Atalanta for successes recorded

Gian Piero Gasperini says Atalanta’s success in the last year owe a lot to Ademola Lookman while the Nigerian also owes the fame and the honour he has received to the Bergamo side who relaunched him to limelight.

The Atalanta boss says the Nigerian has score more goals in his career since he joined the Bergamo based side.

‘He always scored goals, at least since he joined Atalanta,’ says Gasperini after the 27-year-old netted a brace in the demolition of Empoli in a Serie A game at the weekend.

Gasperini and Lookman’s relationship turned frosty after the gaffer blasted the Nigerian for losing a penalty which, if converted, would have helped the club stage a comeback after going down 3-0 to Club Brugge in their UEFA Champions League play off tie last week.

Lockman was subbed on in the game and scored to reduce the tally to 3-1 before his side was awarded a penalty which he lost and which made Gasperini refer to him as one of the worst penalty takers he has ever seen.

The Nigerian did not take kindly to it and called his coach’s comment ‘disrespectful’.

‘Lookman has always scored a lot of goals, at least since he joined Atalanta. He has become an extraordinary player, especially when he puts himself at the disposal of the team.

‘He said that he feels a bond with the fans and I appreciate that very much,’ said Gasperini after the game against Empoli.

Lookman netted the goals (hattrick) to fetched Atalanta their only European title in their history and, at the last count, has netted 49 goals in 107 appearances for Atalanta, 16 more than he has scored for the quartet of Charlton, Leicester City, Fulham and RB Leipzig in 198 games.

It was at Atalanta Lookman also got the invitation to play for Nigeria and shone like a million stars at the Africa Cup of Nations last year in Cote d’Ivoire, scoring three goals and got listed in the team of the tournament.

Lookman was also crowned the African Footballer of the Year after a very solid and inspiring season and year for Atalanta and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.