Gasperini said Lookman, who struggled during his stint with RB Leipzig, used to light up games “in flashes” before desapering
By Kehinde Okeowo
Atalanta boss, Gian Piero Gasperini has revealed how he transformed Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman to one of the world’s most dangerous wingers.
The Nigerian international struggled during his stint with Bundesliga club, RB Leipzig before he was loaned to Fulham and Leicester City where he linked up with Atalanta two years ago.
However, the 26-year-old has been firing on all cylinders since joining Serie A club, Atalanta.
Lookman was La Dea’s top scorer last season and he has maintained the same consistent form this term.
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The winger also scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen last week, helping his club secure their first European trophy.
He has so far registered 16 goals and eight assists for Atalanta this season.
Speaking on how he got the best out of Lookman, Football Italia quoted Gasperini to have said the Nigerian used to light up games “in flashes” before desapering.
He went on to say he had to use “the patience of an artisan craftsman” to get him to where he is today.
Gasperini said, “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.
“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”
