Atalanta have been forced into damage control after a public rift emerged between manager Gian Piero Gasperini and star forward Ademola Lookman in the wake of their Champions League elimination at the hands of Club Brugge, Soccernet.ng reports.
Lookman, Africa’s reigning Player of the Year, netted Atalanta’s only goal in their 3-1 home defeat to the Belgian champions, sealing a 5-2 aggregate loss in the round of 16 playoffs.
But instead of post-match reflection on the team’s shortcomings, the spotlight has shifted to a bitter war of words between Lookman and his manager, leaving the club’s hierarchy scrambling to restore harmony.
The controversy began when Gasperini laid the blame for Atalanta’s exit at Lookman’s feet, particularly focusing on his missed penalty in the second half of the encounter.
“Ademola Lookman is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” Gasperini said.
“He wanted to take the penalty after scoring a goal, he took the ball despite Retegui and De Keteleare available to take it… I didn’t like what Lookman did.”
The remarks were met with widespread criticism, given Lookman’s importance to Atalanta and the fact that he had only just returned from injury.
READ MORE: Gasperini blasts Lookman over penalty: One thing the Atalanta boss should have done differently
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The Nigerian international had started the game on the bench but was introduced at halftime, with Atalanta already trailing 3-0. He made an instant impact, scoring within a minute of the restart.
However, his failure to convert a penalty later in the game became the focal point of Gasperini’s ire, overshadowing his overall contribution.
However, Lookman did not waste time in sharing his perspective of the incident.
Known for his quiet professionalism, Lookman uncharacteristically took to social media to respond, expressing his disappointment at being publicly singled out.
“It saddens me on a day like this to have to write this statement – most of all because of what we have achieved together as a team and as a city,” Lookman stated.
“Being singled out in the manner I have been not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful, not least because of the immense hard work and commitment I have always put in each and every day to help bring success to this club and to the incredible fans of Bergamo.'
Crucially, he also clarified that he had not taken the penalty on his own initiative but had been asked to do so.
“During the match, the designated penalty taker instructed me to take the penalty; and to support the team, I took responsibility in the moment to do so. Life’s about challenges and turning pain into power, which I’ll continue to do.”
Lookman vs Gasperini: Atalanta managers set to step in
The escalating tension between one of the team’s most important players and the manager has forced Atalanta’s top brass to intervene.
According to Italian media outlet RadioDea via AtalantaNews, senior management will visit the club’s training base in Zingonia on Thursday to mediate between Gasperini and Lookman, seeking a resolution to the public fallout.
Given that both the coach and the player are integral to Atalanta’s ambitions this season, the club is eager to prevent the situation from spiraling further.
Will Lookman leave Atalanta this summer?
Despite Atalanta’s attempts to smooth over the row, reports suggest Lookman could still leave the club at the end of the season.
Previously on the radar of PSG and Liverpool, Lookman was close to using the Bergamo exit doors last summer and recent events may only accelerate that process.
With Atalanta still in the Serie A title race, sitting five points behind leaders Napoli, the club’s priority will be to restore unity within the squad.
Lookman, Atalanta’s Player of the Season over the last two years, has registered 15 goals and seven assists across 28 games in all competitions this term.
