“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.”

Ademola Lookman celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A football match between Juventus FC and Atalanta BC. [Photo Credit/Imago].

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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.

“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.

Ademola Lookman and Gian Piero Gasperini during the match between Juventus FC and of Atalanta BC at Allianz Stadium on March 09, 2025, in Turin, Italy. [Photo Credit/ Imago]
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.

Ademola Lookman. [Photo Credit/ X].
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.

 

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria. With a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience. He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.

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