Lookman bounces back from Champions League nightmare with stunning brace in Atalanta rout

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman buried all the controversy of the past week with a sensational performance for Atalanta against Empoli in Serie A, Footynaija.com reports.

Lookman returned to Atalanta’s starting lineup for the first time since his return from injury and the Nigerian star marked his return with a wonderful brace as the Nerazzurri put five goals past Empoli at the Stadio Carlo Castellani.

Lookman got his first of the game in the 43rd minute after receiving a pass from Mario Retegui. The Nigerian rounded the goalkeeper before calmly slotting the ball into the net.

He later completed his brace in the second half, collecting a pass from Marten de Roon and driving forward from the center circle before finding the bottom right corner with a precise left-footed strike.

The days leading up to Sunday’s game have been dominated by the aftermath of Atalanta’s Champions League play-off loss to Club Brugge, particularly the controversy surrounding Lookman’s decision to take a penalty despite the agreed hierarchy.

Following the 27-year-old’s failure to convert the spot kick, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini stated in a press conference that Lookman should not have taken the shot, calling him “one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen.”

Responding to Gasperini, Lookman described the remark as “disrespectful” and unfair, given his contributions to Atalanta over the past three seasons.

With his performance in Sunday’s game, the reigning Africa Best Player of the Year provided an even better response to Gasperini’s criticism with his sensational brace on the night.

Lookman has now taken his season’s tally to 17 goals and 7 assists in 29 matches across all competitions this season, maintaining his scintillating form.