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Ernest Victor
Guest
Atalanta’s manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, has shed light on the decision to substitute Super Eagles winger, Ademola Lookman early in the match against Venezia.
In the said game, which ended in a 2-0 win for Atalanta, Ademola Lookman played only the first 45 minutes before he was replaced by Colombia international Juan Cuadrado.
Throughout the first half, Lookman had difficulty finding his rhythm and making a significant impact on the game. His struggles were evident as he tried to connect with his teammates but failed to penetrate Venezia’s defensive line effectively.
In his post-match interview with the media, Gasperini elaborated on the factors behind the substitution, noting that Lookman exhibited signs of fatigue.
“He was probably tired as well. We have to consider the demands of the game and the overall needs of the team. We encountered a similar situation when we played Como, and we risked facing the same challenges today against Venezia,” Gasperini explained.
Despite his early exit, Ademola Lookman has had a commendable season so far, having scored two goals in five league appearances for La Dea. His contributions haven’t gone unnoticed, as he was recently named Atalanta’s Player of the Month for September.
Note that the 26-year-old Nigeria international is currently the major contender for the 2024 CAF Africa Player Of The Year award, thanks to his heroic performance for the Super Eagles and Atalanta in the last 12 months.
Recall that he helped Atalanta to win last season’s Europa League and helped Nigeria to finish second in the 2023 AFCON which ended in February 2024.
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