Sports
Atalanta Coach Hails Ademola Lookman
The manager of Atalanta, Gian Pero Gasperini, has confessed that he is impressed with the performance of Super Eagles of Nigeria winger, Ademola Lookman.
Ademola Lookman joined Atalanta from RB Leipzig in 2022 for a transfer fee worth €9 million.
Since then, he never had it that good until he moved to Atalanta on August 4, 2022. He has now scored 13 goals and provided eight assists in 31 games in all competitions for the Italian side.
In the 2023-2024 season alone, Ademola Lookman has scored eight goals and provided three assists in 21 games in all competitions which is a huge improvement when compared to his days in his previous clubs.
Despite Lookman’s improved form, the 26-year-old forward has been struggling to score goals in European club competitions. The last time he scored a goal in any UEFA tournament was in December 2017.
But that is not enough reason for coach Gasperini to turn a blind eye to how much the Nigeria international has improved his game.
After Atalanta’s 1-1 draw with Sporting CP in the Europa League, Pazzi di Fanta quoted the coach as saying: “We all see Lookman‘s potential and speed, but we must admit that he once didn’t play so offensively.
“He used to score six or seven goals a year, while now he is quick, good at dribbling, and even strong with his head. I encourage him because every now and then, he hides from the game, but I believe that when he approaches the area, he can become a reference player for our team.”
Note that Ademola Lookman was one of the best players in the Super Eagles squad during the 2023 AFCON. He scored three goals in the tournament as he helped Nigeria to finish second behind the hosts, Ivory Coast.
Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili made a spectacular debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics, delivering an impressive performance in the women’s 200m event.
After a disappointing setback in the women’s 100m, Ofili showcased her resilience by clinching victory in her heat with a new season’s best time of 22.24 seconds on Sunday, August 4. The victory has qualified her for the 2024 Olympics 200m women’s semi-finals which will take place this evening.
Argentine football icon, Lionel Messi, has stressed that he doesn’t care how much movement he makes in a game as people continue to take note of his walking technique.
In recent times, videos of Lionel Messi practically walking while his team are off the ball have kept many football enthusiasts talking. Many believe that it is a technique to prevent being injured, some say he does that because other players are doing the hard work for him.
But in an interview with Clank Media, Lionel Messi who turned 37-year-old earlier today, June 24, 2024, said not running when he is off the ball has been a part of his game from his days at his boyhood club, Newell, in his native country, Argentina.
“When I was at Newell’s, there were two or three times a week we were sent to run around the grounds. I used to hide behind a tree. Running without a ball was never my thing. Heh”, Lionel Messi said.
“I have always been very self-critical. I am the first to know what I do right and what I do wrong. When I walk, I analyse the opponent’s positioning, how we stand when we don’t have the ball, get away from the marker and be able to initiate a counterattack.
“I don’t pay much attention to GPS, statistics or data. I never cared how much I ran in a match.”
Note that Lionel Messi had used his walking technique while off the ball to win virtually everything in world football including 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League, one FIFA World Cup, and a record 8 Ballon d’Or.
In just two matchdays in the ongoing European Championship (Euro 2024), three countries have secured their place in the tournament’s round of 16.
Interestingly, the Three Lions of England and France, seen as the Super favourites to win the Euro 2024, will have to wait until the last day of the group stage to confirm their place.
Earlier today, June 22, 2024, Portugal’s national team, ably led by five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, defeated Turkey 3-0 to book themselves a place in the round of 16.
Goals from Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and an own goal from Samet Akaydin made all the difference.
Ronaldo provided an assist for Portugal’s third goal, which was his 7th in the history of the tournament, and the all-time highest in the European Championship.
Recall that Portugal defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in their opening game in Group F. Hence, the Portuguese side now have 6 points in two games.
Whether or not they beat Georgia in their last group stage game on Wednesday, June 26, the Portuguese side will play in the round of 16. However, they need to win the game to ensure they finish top of Group F.
Other two teams that have already booked themselves a place in the Euro 2024 round of 16 with a game in hand are the hosts, Germany, and Spain.
Germany are topping Group A with 6 points in 2 games, while Spain are topping Group B with 6 points in two games.
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