Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has praised Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman for his significant contribution to the club's impressive form, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
La Dea won the UEFA Europa League last season, their first major title in over 50 years, and Lookman played a crucial role in that success, scoring a historic hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
This season, Lookman has continued to impress, registering nine goals and five assists in 15 appearances across all competitions.
Gasperini credits last season's Europa League triumph, in which Lookman played a key role, for the team's growth in confidence and self-belief.
"Winning the Europa League last season helped us grow in confidence and self-belief," Gasperini told reporters.
"Many new players have arrived and are improving, but it was last season's success, driven by players like Lookman, that set the tone."
By Olujimi Dare Ogun