Seria A: Ademola Lookman credits Atalanta’s philosophy for improved performance

Super Eagles of Nigeria winger Ademola Lookman said he’s currently playing the most consistent football of his career at Italian Seria A side: Atalanta.

In a chat with The Athletic’s Mark Carey, Lookman affirmed that the move to the Gian Piero Gasperini’s led side has been the most rewarding for him in this ten-year-long career, and he wishes he had gotten it earlier than he did at the start of the 2022-23 season.

“I’ve played a lot of football and learned a lot of things in my time here already,” the 26-year-old said. “I wish it would have come earlier, but that’s the way football is sometimes and it’s a process of continuing to learn.

“Over the years, Atalanta have been known for playing attacking football, so for me to come into this positive style of play is great for me as an attacker.

“The Mister (Gasperini) is very big on playing forward and creating many opportunities to score goals. For me, he has made my football much simpler in how I think about it.”

Lookman was Nigeria’s joint top scorer (three goals)—alongside stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong—at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) where they suffered a final disappointment to hosts nation Côte d’Ivoire.

“I was pleased to help the team in that way. We have a team that is very powerful, very strong, very fast. To be able to play that type of football with my team-mates, it was nice to be around,” the ex-Leicester City and RB Leipzig star concluded.

Lookman made into the AFCON 2023’s Best XI, alongside compatriots Ekong and Ola Aina.