Ademola Lookman endured a irritating night time as Atalanta’s Serie A title hopes suffered a major blow following a 0-0 draw in opposition to relegation-threatened Venezia on the Gewiss Stadium, Soccernet.ng reviews.
The Nigerian ahead was on the coronary heart of Atalanta’s greatest attacking moments however couldn’t discover the decisive breakthrough because the Bergamo membership missed the prospect to shut the hole on league leaders Inter Milan.
Lookman, who has been certainly one of Atalanta’s standout performers this season, noticed a late alternative to grab victory go begging within the 83rd minute.
Sead Kolasinac’s flicked header from a nook discovered Lookman unmarked on the far submit, however the 27-year-old blazed his effort over the bar with the aim at his mercy.
It was an evening the place nothing appeared to fall Atalanta’s method, regardless of dominating giant spells of the competition. The hosts struck the woodwork twice within the first half, with Lookman closely concerned in each openings.
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Within the thirty ninth minute, the Tremendous Eagles star dazzled with a intelligent dribble into the field earlier than establishing Davide Zappacosta with an audacious backheel go. The previous Chelsea full-back’s clipped end struck the surface of the submit, letting Venezia off the hook.
Lookman was once more instrumental moments later, delivering a harmful cross from the fitting that narrowly evaded Charles De Ketelaere. The free ball fell to Juan Cuadrado on the far submit, however the Colombian’s effort crashed in opposition to the submit as soon as extra as Atalanta’s frustrations mounted.
The ahead’s missed possibilities got here at a tough time following his decisive penalty miss in Atalanta’s Champions League exit earlier within the week — a second that had already drawn sharp criticism from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
Regardless of the frustration, Lookman’s numbers this season stay spectacular, with 17 objectives and 7 assists in all competitions — a tally made much more outstanding given he missed a number of weeks via damage.
Atalanta have been with out defender Isak Hien for the fourth consecutive match attributable to damage, and their defensive frailties have been examined on the counterattack by a resilient Venezia facet combating for survival. Nevertheless, the guests lacked the innovative to capitalise on their restricted possibilities.
The outcome leaves Atalanta prone to dropping floor within the Serie A title race, with leaders Inter Milan and second-placed Napoli set to conflict in a while Saturday.
Talking after the sport, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini admitted the missed possibilities have been a supply of frustration for Lookman and Atalanta
“Ademola stays the participant who creates probably the most hazard, he typically shoots on aim and is at all times harmful,” Gasperini mentioned as per TuttoAtalanta.
“It’s true that in the present day he had some vital alternatives that he didn’t benefit from, however he’s nonetheless the liveliest. For the time being, we’re paying dearly for the dearth of precision within the ultimate contact, within the aim that may change these blocked matches.”
With the draw, Atalanta keep third in Serie A behind Inter Milan and Napoli.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns right into a ball of ardour when writing about Nigerian soccer and its abilities, whether or not rising stars or established legends, regionally and overseas.
From the deepest corners of the Center East, to the inexperienced fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the wealthy soils of Africa, Imhons is greater than glad, normally with a glass of a tasty drink close by, to seize the essence of the sport, by connecting the dots between tradition, identification, and soccer.
