Ademola Lookman puts penalty controversy behind him in historic Juventus crush

ADEMOLA LOOKMAN

Last weekend, Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah went into the top five goal scorers in Premier League history with a double against Southampton, while Nigerians Ademola Lookman and Umar Sadiq were among Africa’s standout performers in Europe’s major leagues.

Africa’s current Footballer of the Year, Lookman, is wearing a purple patch that might make him a strong candidate to win the continent’s top individual award this year.

When the forward completed Atalanta’s 4-0 tyrannical victory against Juventus, a lopsided encounter that rocked Italian football, he increased his goal total to six goals in seven games.

Thirteen minutes from the end, Lookman gave Atalanta their fourth goal as the visitors took advantage of Dusan Vlahovic’s carelessness in possession. The Nigerian international sprinted off and buried the ball beyond Michele Di Gregorio.

The situation would have been different if the referees had declared Lookman’s intervention shortly before the half to be handball. This would have happened right before Mateo Retegui’s penalty kick to give Atalanta the lead. Although VAR determined that Lookman had not violated the rules, Weston McKennie of Juventus was found guilty of a similar offense and Atalanta was given a penalty.

Naturally, the media in Italy has concentrated on Juve’s collapse and head coach Thiago Motta’s uncertain future, but Atalanta, Serie A’s joint-top scorers, deserve a great deal of praise for putting on a performance that shows why they—and not the Old Lady—are still in the running for the championship.

Atalanta also has a superstar in Lookman who might motivate them to overtake Internazionale, who are now three points ahead of them in the premier division of Italy.

Lookman has not faltered since his UEFA Champions League penalty miss against Club Brugge, despite a highly public dispute with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

Following the 3-1 loss that eliminated the Italian team from the Champions League, Gasperini did not mince words when he called Lookman “one of the worst penalty takers I have ever seen.”

The coach’s remark, according to Lookman, was “very insulting.”

Lookman wrote on social media, “It hurts me to have to write this statement, most of all because of what we have done together as a team and as a community.” “It stings and is really disrespectful to be singled out the way I have been, especially considering how much effort and dedication I have always given in every day to help this club and the amazing Bergamo supporters succeed.”

Atalanta’s domestic ambitions might have been wrecked by such a public display of private affairs, and Lookman might have been pardoned if the conflict had weakened or obscured his dedication to Gasperini’s vision in Bergamo.

Lookman has continued to play at a high level. He scored twice against Empoli in late February and then again against Juventus to move up to third place in the Serie A goal-scoring standings. He even gave Gasperini a hug after he was substituted in the 80th minute, indicating that the two men have put their differences aside for the time being.

Following La Dea’s victory, the head coach praised the 27-year-old, firmly putting an end to any rumors of a dressing-room conflict at the club and endorsing the Nigerian as Atalanta’s future captain.

After the game, Gasperini remarked, “People can have different ideas when a group spends 300 days together in a year.” “After Lookman’s perception of the team improved, he became an outstanding player. His method used to be more individualized. He was primarily concerned with the person, yet he was not a horrible guy. Atalanta made him great, and he made Atalanta great. He can be the captain before the season ends, in my opinion.

Given that Lookman is nearing the end of his contract with the team and was linked to a move to Paris Saint-Germain last year, it is unclear what the future holds for both the forward and Atalanta.

He is, however, having another fantastic season with Atalanta—his goal against Juventus has already improved his 2023–24 total—and, in spite of the UCL setback, he still has a chance to finish the season with a significant honor.

Following Atalanta’s victory, Lookman wrote on X, “Let us keep going like this, together,” undoubtedly with an eye toward Sunday’s visit from league leaders Inter.

Another Nigerian who is currently having a good time is Sadiq, a player who reportedly had a comeback at Valencia after joining on loan from Real Sociedad at the beginning of the season.

After joining Real Madrid in September 2022, the striker scored four league goals in 35 games. However, he has already equaled that total in just seven games while on loan at Valencia, breaking his own record most goals scored in one of Europe’s big five league

After scoring a double against Osasuna the previous weekend, Valencia overcame Real Valladolid 2-1 at home on Saturday thanks to a goal from Sadiq just before the hour.

When Los Che is first-choice forward, Hugo Duro, returns from injury, head coach Carlos Corberan may have a difficult choice to make. The victory moves the team to 16th place in La Liga with 27 points, one spot above the relegation zone.

After the game, Corberan remarked, “Sadiq is displaying it, so I have three fantastic forwards.” “He and I both had the mindset to go past our errors against Valladolid. I believe there is a similarity between the team’s actions and Sadiq’s during the game.

Sadiq is undoubtedly doing enough to guarantee his spot in the new coach’s plans after being included in Eric Chelle’s expanded 39-man Super Eagles squad for the upcoming international break.

Finally, to England, where Salah tied Sergio Aguero as the top foreign scorer during the Premier League history with a double against Southampton, putting him into the top five goal scorers of all time.

Despite not having the game entirely to themselves, the Reds’ run to the championship continued with a 3-1 victory. Will Smallbone gave the Saints the lead before the home team easily won the second half.

Two penalties from Salah clinched the victory. The Egyptian legend, who has yet to sign a contract, first converted after Smallbone had taken down Darwin Núñez. He then got a second chance to win the match after a handball from Yukinari Sugawara in the area.

Salah is now equal with Aguero on 184 Premier League goals and third in Liverpool’s all-time scoring rankings, surpassing South Africa’s Gordon Hodgson.

After the game, Salah stated, “I was aware of the record, but I did not consider it while I was playing.” Being equal is a good record. I am glad with the victory and glad that Sergio was a fantastic player and a league legend.”

When the Reds play Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, the 32-year-old may earn his ninth piece of Liverpool trophies.