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Ebenezer Bajela.
In spite of their home defeat to Serie A league leaders, Napoli, at the Gewiss Stadium on Saturday, Atalanta manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, singled out Nigeria international Ademola Lookman for praise, expressing delight with the forward’s attitude, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Lookman has been impressive for Atalanta since arriving in the summer from Leipzig and this season has featured in 13 Serie A appearances so far this term and has been directly involved in seven goals.
The former Leicester City player has found the back of the net six times and provided one assist.
On Saturday, the 25-year-old forward started in Atalanta’s 2-1 loss against the Serie A leaders and despite ending on the losing side, the Nigerian had a good game.
Lookman converted from the penalty spot after compatriot Victor Osimhen had handled the ball in the six-yard box.
Though Osimhen would go on to score for the Parthenopeans to help them preserve their unbeaten runs in the Italian league as they recorded their ninth win in a row in the league at the expense of Atalanta, Gasperini was however pleased with the performance of the Nigerian winger.
“It wasn’t easy against a defence like Napoli to create so many scoring opportunities, especially as we hit the crossbar,” Gasperini said.
“We attacked well, prevented their dangerous counter-attacks, and we need to improve on playing out from the back, as the long ball was used a bit too much in the second half. Lookman is doing really well and I really like [Rasmus] Hojlund. I am very satisfied with how these lads are doing.
“When you emerge from a game like this, against a Napoli side everyone can see, I leave here with the certainty we will have a good season.”