GOTM of December: a Lookman's Carol!
Voted by the Nerazzurri fans on all our social accounts
After clinching third place in the final POTM rankings for December, Lookman makes his long-awaited debut among the "kings of the scorers," securing the first GOTM of the season! The race for the final golazo of 2024 saw the Nigerian step into the shoes of the "Grinch," with a distinctly Nerazzurri twist: Mola didn’t just “steal the show” from Charles De Ketelaere, leaving the Belgian "on the brink" of becoming the first to pull off an incredible "double," but he also “won over” the hearts of Atalanta fans, who rewarded his ice-cold composure (a perfect pun, given the month…) in front of goal during the Champions League showdown with Real Madrid on December 10th.
As hinted earlier, completing the podium are De Ketelaere’s second goal in the Christmas Match against Empoli and Del Lungo’s "Joga Bonito" in the Serie C NOW MD15 rescheduling against Padova.
As per custom, climb up the standings and sift through the "exit polls" (in between brackets the "approval rate"):
Winner: Ademola Lookman, Atalanta 2-3 Real Madrid 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League MD6 (46%);
Runner-up: Charles de Ketelaere, Atalanta 3-2 Empoli, 2024-2025 Serie A Enilive MD17 (38%);
3rd place: Tommaso Del Lungo , Padova 3-2 Atalanta U23s, 2024/24 Serie C NOW MD15 rescheduling (11%);
4th place: Andrea Bonanomi, Atalanta 2-3 Juventus, 2024-2025 Primavera 1 MD17 “Trofeo Giacinto Facchetti” (4%).
To brush up on our 4 finalists' scoring prowess, check the IG reels and the résumes below
4th place: Andrea Bonanomi, Atalanta 2-3 Juventus, 2024-2025 Primavera 1 MD17 “Trofeo Giacinto Facchetti”
As usual, we kick off the roundup of the 'four tenors' of the goal with the wooden spoon, and this month, it goes to Atalanta Primavera’s Andrea Bonanomi! The 'diez' of the U19 Nerazzurri takes 4th place in the overall GOTM standings with his stunning strike for the momentary 1-2 against Juventus. Coming on early in the second half, coach Bosi's virtuoso didn’t waste any time getting in the thick of things, putting the Juventus defense on the back foot until, in the 68th minute, his persistence finally paid off: a swift run down the right, with a low cross from Steffanoni that was deflected by the Juventus defense. On the rebound, Bonanomi seized his chance, using a quick flurry of touches to leave his defender in the dust as he inched closer to "his sweet spot". Upon finding the perfect opening, Andrea took aim and unleashed a low left-footed strike… The ball nestled in the far corner like a glove, securing him 4th place in the December GOTM rankings!
Atalanta faced a domestic defeat as Juventus imposed themselves 2-3 at the Centro Bortolotti on MD17.
3rd place: Tommaso Del Lungo , Padova 3-2 Atalanta U23s, 2024/24 Serie C NOW MD15 rescheduling
And the bronze medal for December goes to… Tommaso del Lungo! Despite the unusual role as “improptu” striker, the U23s centreback aced the "test" with flying colours by delivering a goal of sheer brilliance: a strike that looks like it was plucked straight from the futsal playbook, one that’s worth watching on repeat. It’s the 76th minute of the MD15 rescheduling against Padova: a pinpoint cross from Manzoni finds del Lungo, unmarked at the edge of the box. Unfazed by the pressure, coach Modesto’s number 3 pulls off a perfect no-look backheel flick, sending the ball on its way with his right foot (a true "autopase de espuela", as they'd say in Spain). In one fluid motion, a flawless "étoile" spin precedes a first-time left-footed strike, an impeccable "croisé" that curls into the bottom corner, beating the opposing keeper with staggering technique and pace. A moment of pure elegance, where technique, flair, and brilliance blend seamlessly, earning him a well-deserved third place in the December GOTM rankings!
Runner-up: Charles de Ketelaere, Atalanta 3-2 Empoli, 2024-2025 Serie A Enilive MD17
Second place for the reigning POTM! Despite his bid for a December double falling short with a silver medal in the "King of Goals" contest, Charles De Ketelaere still clinches a well-deserved second place thanks to his game-changing goal that sealed the Nerazzurri’s ultimate comeback in the 2024 Christmas Match. Atalanta-Empoli 2-2, 84th minute: the Nerazzurri's relentless push continues undeterred on the brink of stoppage time as Atalanta find the chinck in Empoli's armor to finish off the spectacular counter-counter-comeback and gift the Gewiss Stadium crowd, dressed in festive cheer, the 10th consecutive league victory: Pašalić slides the ball to Charles, who holds his ground against Cacace's tight marking. One step, two steps, three steps and as the coils of the Tuscan defense close in, with Anjorin and Ismajli quickly tightening the noose, the window of opportunity keeps getting smaller. That’s when CDK pulls a rabbit out of the hat with a left-footed strike that flies into the spot where Vazquez can’t touch it. This, ladies and gentlemen, is the world of Charles De Ketelaere, encapsulated in a single breathtaking goal!
Winner: Ademola Lookman, Atalanta 2-3 Real Madrid 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League MD6
And the winner is... Ademola Lookman! The Nigerian steps up to steal the spotlight, preventing CDK from securing a December double with his sensational strike on matchday six of the UCL League Phase against Real Madrid. A brilliant, pinpoint cross-field pass from Lazar Samardžić lands at Lookman’s feet, who, with his trademark composure, takes control with his left foot before smoothly shifting it to his right, setting his sights on the "Casa Blanca" and zeroing in on Lucas Vazquez. A couple of silky touches with the outside of his boot, a move that has the Spanish defender mesmerized, forced to bewitchedly retreat in the face of the Nigerian’s "footwork magic" In an attempt to shore up his defense, Vazquez walks right into the trap set by Mola, giving Lookman just enough room to pull the trigger for the momentary 2-2 equalizer for Atalanta: a lightning-quick right-footed strike that nutmegs Vazquez before curling with surgical precision into the near post, rendering Courtois' desperate dive utterly futile. A Lookmanesque goal to make it GOTM material!