Share
By Ebenezer Bajela
Since making his first professional appearance in the colours of Charlton Athletic, Nigeria international, Ademola Lookman, has enjoyed some level of success in front of goal. However, the winger has failed to replicate his goal-scoring form in European competitions, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Despite playing from the flanks, Lookman has always had a knack for goals and has scored 58 club goals, but surprisingly, just two of those goals were scored in European competition.
The Nigerian has not netted in Europe since December 2017, when he scored a brace against Apollon Limassol in the group stage of the Europa League to help Everton record a convincing 3-0 win over the Cyprus club.
During his stints with RB Leipzig in Germany, Leicester City in England and now with Atalanta in the Serie A, Lookman has played a combined 18 games across all UEFA competitions and has not been able to find the back of the net with just two assists to his name during this period.
He will, however, hope to end his 18-game Europe goal drought when Atalanta travel to Portugal to face Sporting CP in the round of 16 of the Europa League on Wednesday (today).
Lookman was back among the goals for Atalanta against Bologna, with the Nigerian eased back in after Africa Cup of Nations duty, and manager Gian Piero Gasperini will be counting on the forward to keep firing after opening his account for 2024 on Sunday.
Against Bologna Gewiss Stadium, the 26-year-old bagged his eighth Serie A goal and his 10th of the season in all competitions.
The goal could serve as the right tonic needed by the winger to end his Europe goal drought against a side he already faced twice this season.
Atalanta and Sporting faced off in the group stage, with Gasperini’s side picking four points from an available six, and they will hope to get the better of their hosts in the first leg of the round of 16.
The Super Eagles star has made five appearances in the Europa League this season and has failed to either score or assist in the 357 minutes he spent on the pitch.
Lookman will hope to put an end to this unwanted stats at the Estadio Jose Alvalade Stadium today.