Atalanta 0-0 Lazio: Ademola Lookman's goal drought casts shadow over Serie A stalemate

Atalanta BC’s unbeaten run was preserved, but their attacking concerns deepened following a frustrating 0-0 stalemate against Lazio in the Serie a at the New Balance Arena on Sunday night.

The headline story was the continuing goal drought of Nigerian international forward Ademola Lookman, who failed to register a goal across his 82 minutes on the pitch, extending his wait for his first club goal this season.

The hard-fought point was the fifth draw in seven Serie A games for new coach Ivan Juric and his former Europa League winners.

Lookman, 27, was handed just his second league start and fourth across all competitions this season for La Dea but could not translate his potential into an end product.

Having returned from his international duty with the Super Eagles for their crucial World Cup qualifiers, the attacker was expected to add a spark to Atalanta’s final third play.

While his general play showed promise, including completing 86% of his passes and creating a scoring opportunity with one key pass, his effectiveness in front of goal was severely limited.

Lookman registered only one successful dribble from four attempts and was later substituted as part of the search for a breakthrough.

The most glaring miss came when he put a header over the bar from a promising position in the second half, compounding his current difficulties.

Lookman's current struggles follow a turbulent summer in which a potential high-profile move to Inter Milan fell through. This is in stark contrast to his impactful form last season, which saw him score 15 goals in the league. 

His current goal drought spans his all four club appearances this season, with his last official club goal coming toward the end of the previous campaign. 

Coach Juric will be keen for his forward to rediscover his clinical touch, especially as the draw leaves Atalanta in the mid-table, needing wins to challenge for European spots.

The point earned keeps Atalanta undefeated in the league under Juric, but the lack of goals, just 11 scored in seven league matches, is a significant worry. 

For Lookman, the failure to convert chances will only intensify the scrutiny. His performance against Lazio was a microcosm of his season so far: periods of smooth build-up play negated by a lack of decisiveness in the penalty area. 

His return to form is crucial not only for his club but also for Nigeria ahead of their next international fixtures.

While the point was a useful building block for Atalanta's defensive solidity, the team’s attack lacks its essential cutting edge. Lookman’s continued goal drought remains the elephant in the room for La Dea.

The Nigerian star must find the back of the net quickly to alleviate the pressure and fully unlock Atalanta’s attacking potential this season.