Afcon 2023: Atalanta manager praises Lookman, prays he doesn’t get injured

 Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini gives Lecce credit for making life so difficult for his team and he hopes Ademola Lookman ‘doesn’t get injured’ at the Africa Cup of Nations.

It took a daisy-cutter from Lookman to secure all three points at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, as well as some Marco Carnesecchi saves to prevent Lecce from attempted equalisers.

The result allows La Dea to leapfrog Napoli in the table and temporarily move into sixth place.

 “It was a good game, just like it was against Bologna before our undeserved defeat,” Gasperini told DAZN.

“We struggled in the final 10 minutes, but Lecce deserves the credit for that. It’s never easy, they are well-organised, so we had to be patient and that also meant giving them the occasional scoring opportunity.

“After the goal, we were unable to kill off the game, so naturally the opponents will push in that situation.”

This Lookman goal was his final contribution before leaving for Africa Cup of Nations duty with Nigeria, leaving Atalanta a little short-staffed in attack.

“Unfortunately Lookman will fly out tomorrow, but we have Muriel, Scamacca, De Ketelaere, Miranchuk, and Toure. It will be an opportunity for them.

“I don’t want to act like I’m wishing Nigeria don’t do well, but naturally we hope Lookman isn’t away for too long. Above all, we hope he doesn’t get injured.”

Surprisingly, El Bilal Toure was also called up by Mali, despite not playing at all this season due to a serious muscular tear in August.

Gasperini was asked about his decision to repeatedly chop and change between goalkeepers Carnsecchi and Juan Musso.

“It is not dualism in my view, they are two very good and very similar goalkeepers. One is more mature than the other, so we need to get the best out of them both.”

Atalanta got back into Europe in 2023 and then topped their Europa League group to qualify directly for the Round of 16.

“It was an extraordinary calendar year, fifth in Serie A and into the Europa League. We lost a few head-to-head clashes, especially conceding late goals, so a few more draws would’ve helped us.”