New Atalanta manager Raffaele Palladino has expressed confidence in Ademola Lookman’s abilities, backing the Nigerian forward to regain his best form., SportPremi reports.
La Dea kept Lookman in a transfer saga this summer after they refused to sanction a sale to league rivals Inter Milan.
The 2024 CAF Men’s player of the year handed in a transfer request and refused to participate in preseason, leading to a slow start to the season.
The 28-year-old had been the best player at the club and one of the most consistent performers in Europe over the last two years, but has struggled for form and consistency this season.
The Super Eagles winger helped Atalanta to end their 61-year major trophy drought by winning a first-ever European title, after he scored a remarkable hat-trick to lead them to a 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the 2024 Europa League final.
In the current campaign, he missed the first few games lacking match fitness and has only managed one goal for the club in all competitions.
Palladino offers support to Lookman
Raffaele Palladino was appointed as manager of Atalanta last week after the dismissal of Ivan Juric, who had endured a dismal start to the new campaign.
The club won only two of their opening 11 league matches, while the former Southampton manager had a poor relationship with some of the players.
During La Dea’s UEFA Champions League clash against Olympique Marseille, he most notably scuffled with Lookman, after the Nigerian was substituted.
Last Wednesday, the club presented Palladino, 41, as the new manager and tasked him with fixing the torn spirit among the team and salvaging their faltering campaign.
“I’m very happy to be here at Atalanta. It’s a great club, and I feel confident that my staff and I will do everything we can to take it to the top”, the Atalanta manager stated.
“I’m not a fundamentalist, but I’m open to understanding every single aspect. I want to give this team the right outfit, I think it’s suitable for a 3-4-2-1: I know the game system well, there are the right characteristics.”
On Ademola Lookman
“Lookman is crucial. I called him, as well as all the others who were on national team duty. He presented himself very well. I’ll evaluate his role based on how he performs in training”, Palladino added.
On the club’s plans for the season
“It beat a lot on the intensity and DNA of Atalanta, I tried to find a little of that identity made of sacrifice and determination: what has always distinguished this club. We have little time, but we must get the most out of it: I am happy to have found a group with great technical and human values”, Palladino continued.
“I have had the opportunity to study a lot in recent months also to grow. I had many calls, but I waited for Atalanta: it didn’t take me long to say yes, also because we have the same goals.”
“Our goal is Europe, the squad is strong, the company has made great purchases and I believe that this team should do more.”
