Dia scores in the opening minute, Lookman ends goal drought in Serie A wins for Lazio and Atalanta

After nearly two months without a goal for his club, reigning CAF Player of the Year Ademola Lookman returned to scoring ways as Atalanta thrashed Monza by a 4-0 score in Sunday’s Serie A action. Earlier in the day, Senegal national team forward Boulaye Dia’s opening minute strike was all Lazio needed to claim three points off Empoli.

Lookman took advantage of weak opposition to end a six-match scoring drought at club level in an otherwise very productive 2024-25 campaign. Already down 2-0 at halftime to a brace from Charles De Ketelaare, a distraught Monza defense allowed Lookman to get in behind on the left wing from a Mateo Retegui pass to set up a routine finish for the Nigerian.

Atalanta have a strong hold on third place and qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League, sitting five points ahead of both AS Roma and Lazio. Lookman has 19 goals and 7 assists from 37 matches in all competitions.

In the early match on Sunday, Lazio earned three points at Empoli courtesy of Boulaye Dia’s first minute goal in a 1-0 victory that ended with both teams reduced to ten players.

The forward on loan from Salernitana chested down a floated pass from Elseid Hysaj and was left with a simple finish, bringing his total to fourteen goals in all competitions this season with Napoli and parent club Salernitana. A successful season for Dia with Napoli will likely lead to a permanent transfer from Salernitana, who have an agreement for a full transfer if certain conditions are met.

Lazio are now in 5th place on the table following Sunday’s victory.