“Born and Dead” – Two-time Europa League winner lauds Lookman and Gasperini maturity over penalty feud

Two-time UEFA Europa League winner Davide Zappacosta, has praised Atalanta duo, Ademola Lookman and Gian Piero Gasperini, for settling their differences, Soccernet.ng reports.

The pair fell out after Lookman missed a crucial spot-kick in Atalanta's UEFA Champions League knockout tie against Club Brugge.

Gasperini did not hold back in his post-match criticism, calling the Nigerian winger “one of the worst penalty takers” he had ever seen. Lookman hit back the next day, accusing Gasperini of being “disrespectful.”

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However, it appears Lookman and Gasperini have made up for their differences. The pair hugged when the Nigerian found the back of the net in Atalanta's 4-0 victory over Juventus, and Zappacosta was pleased about how the feud died.

Let’s keep going like this. Together! pic.twitter.com/L8YdmMnL3z

— Ademola Lookman (@Alookman_) March 9, 2025

“The embrace between Gasperini and Lookman? It was a nice gesture of both, but the coach said well. It had been a thing born and dead there. It’s football things when you spend so much time together,” the wing-back told La Gazzetta dello Sport in quotes revealed by sosfanta.

After the victory against Juventus, Gasperini backed Lookman to become Atalanta's captain before the end of the season based on the way he's carried himself in the squad.

“When a group spends 300 days together in a year, people can have different views. Lookman became a fantastic player when he improved his perception of the team.

“He used to have a more individual approach. He wasn’t a bad guy, but he mostly focused on the individual. He made Atalanta great, and Atalanta made him great. I am convinced he can be the captain before the end of the season,” the 67-year-old said in as previously reported by Soccernet.ng.

Atalanta are currently third on the Serie A table, and could go to the top of the Italian league tonight if they defeat Inter Milan.