Atalanta coach salutes Lookman as Chukwueze gets nomination for goal award

Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has showered plaudits on Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman, stating he is impressed with the summer signing.

Lookman scored his sixth goal in the Serie A after breaking the deadlock for Atalanta who went on to lose 2-1 to Napoli.

Victor Osimhen drew Napoli level before providing the assist for the second goal scored by Eljif Elmas.

And speaking on Lookman and also reflecting on the game Gasperini told DAZN: “It wasn’t easy against a defence like Napoli to create so many scoring opportunities, especially as we hit the crossbar. 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 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.

“This is a team that is growing, both technically and in fitness terms. We were up to the standard of Napoli and in some cases above them. We probably didn’t deserve to lose and were a little unlucky, but we emerge from this match with pride and confidence for the future.”

Gasperini added:“You always want to talk about results and positions in the table, but we cannot think of repeating third place for three years in a row. We have players who left, others who are injured, so we are renovating the squad, but the path to consistency is with the style of football.

“The team is growing and improving every week, we already saw tonight big improvements from the game against Atalanta, so that bodes well for the future. We’ll set ourselves no limits.”

The 1-2 home loss saw Atalanta fell to third on table with 27 points from 13 games. Napoli and AC Milan are first and Second with 35 and 29 points respectively

Meanwhile, Nigerian duo, Samuel Chukwueze and Yusuf Otubanjo have been nominated for UEFA Europa Conference League Goal of the Group Stage.

Chukwueze’s stunning goal in Villarreal’s 4-3 victory against Polish club, Lech Poznan and Otubanjo’s superb strike in Pyunik’s 2-0 win against Zalgiris was nominated along eight others.

Incidentally, both goals were also nominated for Goal of the Week in the course of the competition but failed to pick the prize.

Chukwueze particularly has been in impressive form for Villarreal in the UEFA Europa Conference League this season.

The 23-year-old has scored two goals and recorded two assists in five appearances in the competition.

The winner is expected to be announced this week.