Ademola Lookman demyistifies Alonso's Leverkusen in Europa Finals

UEL FINALS:ADEMOLA LOOKMAN DYMESTIFIES ALONSO'S BAYERN LEVERKUSEN

With three sensational and clinical strikes for a hat trick, Ademola Lookman, a prolific international striker of Nigerian extraction starring for Italian Club Atalanta did a complete demolition job on Leverkusen, the  high riding German League Champions in the UEL Finals.

As early as the 12th minute he ignited the spark and intentions for the night with his first goal before completing his mission with the third  of his prolific goals for the night

Lookman is a player who might easily go unnoticed as he prefers to stay under the radar in avoiding the beam and searchlight of celebrity and stardom. In his progress trajectory, antecidents and returns, he comes across as a player and a man who would rather allow his work and output speak on his behalf in line with the tested and dignified principle of most achievers, allowing the work to do the talk.

Leverkusen's unbeaten run was ended by 

Coach Gasperini's Atalanta team who had lost to Juventus in the final of the Coppa Italia seven days back but  recovered from that setback to send Leverkusen crashing. 

And Lookman, who in all honesty had a nomadic career before this blistering form and era, playing for his youth team, Waterloo, then to Charlton, Everton,RB Leipzig, Fulham and Leicester,was the linchpin and provided the cutting edge to reward a polished all-round performance for Atalanta's glorious night 

In delivering an iconic performance in Dublin on Wednesday night,the 26 year old Lookman scored three sensational goals with his three shots to beat Xabi Alonso's previously invincible Leverkusen and deliver Atalanta their first piece of silverware since 1963. In the club's 116-year history, the trophy is only their second.

Promises of street names to be named after the the London-born Nigeria winger have been swift in Italian media. Lookman became only the sixth player to score a hat-trick in a European final - the first since Jupp Heynckes for Borussia Monchengladbach in the 1975 Uefa Cup. The treble lifted his goal tally to 15 for the season, matching the record from his debut season last year.

Although Lookman claimed that his feat and other exploits were of no real surprise  despite never having previously recorded double figures in seasons spent with Charlton, Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham or Leicester but it did elicit some high and soft emotions from his former youth coach at Waterloo Felix Emanus who has known Ade as he calls him, since he was a 9 year old kid was visibly moved and left in tears and in making it clear that he is not a cry baby, says words cannot express  his joy and emotions as they have been dreaming of this day for a long time.He also expressed his gratitude to other coaches, not just himself that have played their role in molding him into the great player that he is today. Atalanta manager Gian Pero Gasperini admitted afterwards: "Nobody could ever imagine he'd could make this much progress."

Lookman helped Nigeria to reach the African Cup of Nations final this year, but were undone by a spectacular comeback victory from hosts Ivory Coast. And Emanus believes the biggest stages are where Lookman performs his best.

Hear Emanus  whose inspirational text message to Lookman before the game proved spot on - “He thrives on a big stage," he said. "He's never been afraid. When I took him to trials, I’d be more nervous than him. He’d be calm and cool, get the job done."

In the morning before the final, Emanus sent Lookman a message of good luck before the match and shared the text with TNT: “Yo, what a great season. Qualification for the Champions League, Italian Cup final, and now the Uefa Cup final. 10 goals last year, eight assists, this will be a season to remember. Now to put the icing on the cake. Time to deliver. One of those Waterloo high performances you used to believe in as a kid when you were unplayable.

"Imagination, creativity, aggressive attacking football, calm finishing. You will need all these attributes to become a winner on the night. Play well my friend, enjoy. Play the game and not your emotions. God bless, see you later.”

Certainly a player to watch by all football buffs and connoisseurs of the game.

Lumi Igun

A PR Consultant and Sports Enthusiasts writes from Lagos, Nigeria

*With Excerpts from All Football