Serie A: Lookman's Double Inspires Atalanta To Victory

Third-placed Atalanta cruised to a 5-0 win at Empoli with Nigerian International Ademola Lookman scoring a brilliant double with a goal in each half to reignite its bid for the Serie A title on Sunday.

With Napoli suffering a surprise 2-1 loss at Como earlier on Sunday and Inter losing twice in four matches, Atalanta had the chance to keep the pressure on and dominated from the start.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 27th minute with an own goal after Davide Zappacosta delivered a cross from the edge of the box which deflected off Empoli striker Emmanuel Gyasi and looped into the corner of the net.

Atalanta then began to dominate the match with Mateo Retegui doubling the lead six minutes later before Lookman made it 3-0 in the 43rd when he latched onto a through ball, deftly rounded goalkeeper Marco Silvestri and put the ball into the empty net.

Lookman’s performance showed the right response following his recent tension with coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who said the Nigerian forward was one of the worst penalty takers he had ever seen after he missed one against Brugge.

Gasperini later downplayed the comment saying he never intended to offend the 27-year-old. Ten minutes after the break Lookman got his second. The African Footballer of the Year latched onto a through ball from Marten de Roon, evaded the offside trap and fired an angled shot past the keeper after a step-over.

Atalanta continued to attack and defender Zappacosta completed the thrashing in the 74th minute to make the scores 5-0.

A month ago the battle for the Scudetto looked like becoming a two-horse race between Napoli and Inter Milan, but indifferent results for both sides have allowed Atalanta to narrow the gap.

A five-star win for Atalanta! ⭐#EmpoliAtalanta pic.twitter.com/Bv15xk1m16

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 23, 2025

The result left Empoli third-bottom in the standings on 21 points, two points below the safety zone. Atalanta now have 54 points, three behind leaders Inter and two off Napoli with 12 rounds of matches remaining.

Against Empoli, Lookman caused chaos for the home defence, playing a pivotal role in the build-up to Retegui’s goal, and was a stand-out performer in Atalanta’s dominant victory.

With two goals, Ademola Lookman is the Panini Player of the Match for #EmpoliAtalanta pic.twitter.com/lgLeL9YVNu

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 23, 2025

Asked if he had put the criticism from Gasperini behind him, Lookman was reluctant to comment. After a glance around, he replied, “Finished?” before shifting the discussion to Atalanta’s display.

“The team won 5-0 today, we put in a good performance, everyone was at a high level and we showed quality,” the Nigerian said.

Sunday’s Italian Serie A results

Como 2-1 Napoli

Hellas Verona 1-0 Fiorentina

Empoli 0-5 Atalanta

Cagliari 0-1 Juventus.