Cremonese vs Atalanta: Lookman's goal drought echoes in La Dea's latest draw

Atalanta's quest for a European spot suffered another significant setback on Saturday evening as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Cremonese, a result that saw star forward Ademola Lookman fail to break his extended goal drought.

Despite a strong creative showing, the Nigerian international was effectively "caged" by the Cremonese defense, contributing to La Dea's mounting troubles in the final third.

The match at the Stadio Giovanni Zini was a microcosm of Atalanta's recent struggles: high possession and creative chances, but a worrying lack of cutting edge.

While former Premier League winner Jamie Vardy eventually broke the deadlock late in the second half, the lead for Cremonese lasted mere minutes before substitute Marco Brescianini snatched an equaliser with six minutes left to play, robbing the hosts of two crucial points.

For Lookman, the frustration was palpable. The Super Eagles forward has now gone six games without finding the back of the net, a slump that directly correlates with Atalanta's dip in form.

According to post-match statistics, Lookman was instrumental creatively, registering three key passes and creating two "big chances" while completing 90% of his passes.

However, his most vital column, shots on target, remained at zero, a testament to Cremonese’s successful man-marking strategy against the league's initial top scorer.

This draw is a severe blow to Atalanta's aspirations for a top-four finish and a return to the UEFA Champions League. Dropping points against Cremonese is unforgivable in the tightly contested race.

The result increases pressure on boss Ivan Juric and shifts the momentum to rivals like AC Milan and Inter, who however failed to capitalise on La Dea's faltering form.

For Lookman, regaining his confidence and finding the net is now paramount, not just for his personal form, but for the trajectory of the entire team.