Nigerian forward, Ademola Lookman, will be seeking to score his 50th career goal for Atalanta when they take on Juventus at Allianz Stadium in a Serie A game on Sunday.
Lookman has been sensational since his move to Italy in 2022, having racked up 49 goals and 23 assists in 107 games for Atalanta across all competitions.
He played a crucial part in the club’s Europa League triumph last season, notably scoring a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen which they won 3-0.
Lookman has faced Juventus five times recording four draws and one defeat, will also aim to end his winless run against a Juventus side chasing a spot in next season’s Champions League and add to his tally of two goals in five games against the Bianconeri.
Since joining the club during the 2022/23 season, the 27-year-old has scored 36 Serie A goals, five goals each in the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League and he also found the back of the net three times for Atalanta in the Coppa Italia competition.
A goal for the Nigerian will be his 13th in the Serie A this season equaling his scoring feat of 2022/23 season and 50th for Atalanta across all competitions.
Lookman could move higher on Atalanta’s all-time scoring list with 11 games left to play this season.
With 49 goals to his name, he is currently behind club greats Duván Zapata (82), Luis Muriel (68), Josip Iličić (60), Alejandro Gómez (59), and German Denis (56).
Meanwhile, Italian legend Cristian Brocchi has singled out Lookman as the key player for Atalanta.
Lookman’s all-round attacking play has been essential to Gasperini’s system at Atalanta this season, despite Matteo Retegui leading the team in league goals with 21.
The Italian, highlighted the Nigerian forward’s pace, creativity and intelligent attacking movement.
According to Brocchi, who won two Champions League titles and the Serie A with AC Milan, Lookman could be the deciding factor in Sunday’s match.
“At the moment, Lookman is Atalanta’s difference maker,” Brocchi told Serie A’s official website ahead of the game.
“He is fast, his final ball is good, and in 1-v-1s he can either finish himself or set up a teammate.
“He is a complete player, who breaks up the game.
“He could be decisive, maybe with a goal, but also with his movement and his set-up play for Retegui.”
The Nigerian is expected to leave Bergamo this summer, with several top European clubs linked with the former RB Leipzig star.
According to Football Italia, Lookman is seen as the ‘missing puzzle’ who could help fire Juventus back to the top of Serie A where they belong.
With 17 goals and six assists across 30 matches, Lookman is highly rated in Turin but they will have to fight off Premier League giants like Liverpool and Manchester United, and Ligue 1’s PSG, who are all keeping tabs on his situation in Atalanta.
