Atalanta manager Gasperini clears air on feud with Lookman

By Olaolu Joseph

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has broken his silence after his comments about Ademola Lookman sparked reactions.

Gasperini has been heavily criticized for lashing out at Lookman after the Nigerian international missed a penalty in Atalanta’s 1-3 loss to Club Brugge, leading to the Italian club’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League last Tuesday.

However, in his statement, Gasperini clarified that his intention was not to offend the Super Eagles forward with his remarks about the penalty miss.

He made this known on Saturday during a pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Serie A clash with Empoli.

Lookman, who scored just 36 seconds after coming on while his team was trailing 3-0 at home, failed to convert a penalty in the 61st minute of the knockout playoff round against Club Brugge.

The penalty miss and the 3-1 defeat drew criticism from Gasperini, who described the winger as “one of the worst penalty-takers” he had ever seen.

Reacting via his Instagram story on Wednesday, Lookman fired back at his coach, calling Gasperini’s words “deeply disrespectful.”

Addressing journalists ahead of Sunday’s match, Gasperini said he did not mean to offend the 26-year-old.

The 66-year-old also acknowledged Lookman’s “extraordinary impact” and expressed his hope that the free-scoring attacker would add penalty goals to his skill set.

He said, “The player [Lookman] felt offended, but I did not mean to offend anyone. Lookman came on in an extraordinary way against Brugge. His gesture, even if generous, doesn’t change what my idea is.

“I would have liked a strong player like him to make a gesture toward De Ketelaere [the club’s assigned penalty taker], saying, ‘Come on, keep the ball, put it in.’

“He can become a penalty taker, and it would be an additional scoring ability.”

Speaking further, Gasperini hinted that he might leave the club at the end of the season or when his contract with the Bergamo side expires next year.

“I don’t have much time left to do this; maybe this is the last chance. As has been said, there’s a beginning and an end,” he said.

“At the end of the year, we’ll see whether to let the contract run out or stop earlier, but there definitely won’t be any continuity. There will be no further renewals or extensions.”