Former Italian striker, Christian Vieri, has lauded the playing style of Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, highlighting his dynamic approach on the ball and his fearlessness in one-on-one situations.
Speaking in an interview with Football-italia.net about Lookman who plays for Atalanta in Serie A, Vieri expressed admiration for his versatility and confidence.
“You watch him and think, ‘Oh, let’s see what he does now.’ There’s no one like him in Serie A: every time he gets the ball, he goes one-on-one, always.
“He’s fast and strong; he takes players on, dribbles, and shoots. Left foot or right foot, it doesn’t matter,” Vieri commented.
Vieri’s praise comes as Lookman continues to impress in Italy’s top-flight, with his ability to take on defenders and create goal-scoring opportunities for his team. His performances have been a key factor in Atalanta’s push for the Serie A title.
Additionally, Vieri addressed the hypothetical scenario where Atalanta’s coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, had criticised him for being one of the worst penalty-takers he had ever seen.
Vieri confidently dismissed the notion. “He couldn’t have, because it wasn’t true,” Vieri responded, defending his own penalty-taking abilities.
Vieri went on to share his philosophy on penalty kicks, emphasising the importance of confidence and team trust.
“I always say that you should take a penalty if you feel like it. And if a teammate comes over and says, ‘I feel it,’ it’s fair to let him. The only ones who miss penalties are those who take them, and if you miss once, so be it.”
