Ademola Lookman: Atalanta Coach Explains How He Helped Nigeria Star Become a Top Player

• Ademola Lookman produced a historic performance in the 2024 Europa League final to help Atalanta defeat Bayer Leverkusen
• The former RB Leipzig forward scored a hat-trick, which saw the Italian side win their first trophy in six decades
• Atalanta coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, is pleased with the development of his player, who struggled to perform when he joined Atalanta

Ademola Lookman was Atalanta's hero during the Europa League final.

The Nigerian bagged a hat-trick as the Italian side defeated German Bundesliga champions, Bayer Leverkusen, on May 22 in Dublin.

Atalanta boss, Gian Piero Gasperini, is happy Lookman is reaching his potential because he was patient with the Nigerian.

The 26-year-old had frustrating spells at RB Leipzig, Fulham, and Leicester City before the Bundesliga club sold him to Atalanta in 2022.

Ademola Lookman: Super Eagles Star Speaks After Scoring Hattrick in Europa League Final Against Bayer Leverkusen, Video

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In his first season in Italy, he registered 15 goals and eight assists, a great return, but more was to come for the Super Eagles star. This season, he has 16 goals and nine assists, the best return of his career with one game left, per Transfermarkt.

Gasperini said he had to be patient with Lookman, who struggled to make an impression early on.

"Lookman is a top player today, but he wasn’t before. He was strong, but tended to light up in flashes and at other times would disappear from the game. He was the same in training sessions," he said via Football Italia.

“I worked with him using the patience of an artisan craftsman. What he did in the last few weeks feels like his maturity. He wants the ball, participates in the game, works with his teammates.”

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Lookman also scored vital goals in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, in which Nigeria reached the final. He is a serious contender for the African Footballer of the Year award.

Lookman better than Osimhen?

Sports Brief previously reported on Nigeria legend, Segun Odegbami, arguing that Lookman is closer to greatness than Osimhen.

The 1980 AFCON winner feels that Lookman's Europa League final display might have catapulted him into greatness.

Finidi lauds Lookman

Sports Brief also reported on Nigeria coach, Finidi George, praising Lookman after an epic performance in the Europa League final.

The 1994 AFCON champion was impressed with Lookman's display against Leverkusen, adding that he sent a message to congratulate him.