- Manager Gian Piero Gasperini expressed frustration over the defeat, calling it "difficult to accept" despite Atalanta's strong performance
- Atalanta made history as Lookman and Retegui became the first players to score in both fixtures against Napoli in a single Serie A season
- Lookman has now registered 10 goals and five assists in Serie A this season, ranking among the league’s top contributors
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman delivered a dazzling performance on Saturday evening, January 18, scoring a sensational goal in Atalanta’s thrilling 3-2 loss to Napoli at the Gewiss Stadium.
Despite Lookman’s brilliance, Atalanta’s manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, expressed frustration with the result, lamenting the missed opportunity to secure crucial points against the Serie A leaders.
Lookman’s strike was a reminder of his class and importance to Atalanta. The Nigerian forward displayed his flair by nutmegging Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, weaving through three defenders, and firing an accurate shot into the bottom corner through a crowded penalty area.
Atalanta initially took the lead in the 16th minute through Serie A top scorer Mateo Retegui, and Lookman’s equaliser nine minutes into the second half reignited their hopes. However, Romelu Lukaku sealed Napoli’s victory with a powerful header in the 78th minute, pushing Antonio Conte’s side six points clear at the top of the table.
Lookman has been instrumental for Atalanta this season, making 18 Serie A appearances, starting 16 matches, and contributing 10 goals and five assists. He is currently fourth in the league for goals scored and tied for third in assists.
Alongside Retegui, Lookman etched his name in the history books, with Opta confirming that the pair became the first Atalanta players to score in both home and away fixtures against Napoli in a single Serie A season.
In the reverse fixture, Lookman netted a brace in Atalanta’s 3-0 triumph at the Diego Maradona Stadium. However, Saturday’s defeat extended Atalanta’s winless run to four matches, leaving them seven points off the title pace in third place.
Speaking to the media after the match, Gasperini expressed his disappointment, saying,
“This is a defeat we struggle to swallow considering the way we played and the statistics, but this is football. It takes nothing away from the quality of Napoli, but it is difficult to accept.”
Gasperini also highlighted Atalanta’s gruelling schedule, pointing to matches against top Serie A teams like Lazio, Juventus, Inter, and Napoli in recent weeks. With upcoming Champions League clashes against Sturm Graz and Barcelona, the manager emphasised the challenge of balancing domestic and European commitments.
Lookman’s strike not enough as Real Madrid edges Atalanta, Ancelotti praises team
Previously, TheRadar reported that Spanish giants Real Madrid reignited their UEFA Champions League campaign hopes with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta, overcoming an early injury to star forward Kylian Mbappé.
Lookman’s creativity nearly earned Atalanta a dramatic equaliser in injury time, but substitute Mateo Retegui squandered the golden opportunity, blasting over from six yards out.
