Atalanta’s head coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, has responded to the ongoing controversy surrounding his remarks about Ademola Lookman’s penalty miss, which played a pivotal role in their UEFA Champions League exit. In a heartfelt statement made on the eve of his team’s Serie A match against Empoli, Gasperini made it clear that his intention was never to disrespect Lookman, despite his earlier sharp criticism of the Nigerian forward.
This admission comes after a tense week that saw Lookman, who has been one of Atalanta’s standout players this season, fire back at his coach’s remarks. Gasperini had called Lookman “one of the worst penalty-takers” he had ever seen, following a missed spot-kick in their dramatic 3-1 loss to Club Brugge in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.
Lookman, who had been brought on as a substitute in the 62nd minute of the match and scored just 36 seconds after entering the game, had been expected to help salvage his team’s hopes. However, with Atalanta trailing 3-1, Lookman’s penalty miss in the 61st minute only compounded the team’s misery and ultimately sealed their exit from Europe’s premier club competition.
In the aftermath of Gasperini’s public comments, Lookman, visibly hurt, took to social media, sharing his feelings of betrayal. “Deeply disrespectful,” the Super Eagles forward wrote on Instagram, claiming that the manager’s words had crossed a line. For Lookman, a player who has shown remarkable resilience and talent this season, the remarks felt unnecessarily harsh, particularly given his crucial role in Atalanta’s offense.
The situation seemed to reach a boiling point, but during a press conference on Saturday, Gasperini made an effort to mend fences. “I want to clarify, I did not mean to offend Lookman,” the 66-year-old coach emphasized. “The player felt offended, but my words were never intended to hurt anyone. I have the utmost respect for him and his abilities.”
Gasperini acknowledged Lookman’s impressive performance in the Brugge game, where he had scored quickly after coming on, providing a glimmer of hope for Atalanta in what had been a dismal night. “Lookman came on in an extraordinary way, his impact was significant,” Gasperini said. “He showed a lot of determination and skill. However, what I was trying to express was that he has the potential to improve in other areas of his game, including penalty-taking.”
The Italian manager’s comments on Lookman’s potential to become a better penalty taker were met with mixed reactions. Gasperini suggested that Lookman, as a player of his caliber, could offer his support to his teammates in situations where a penalty was required. He remarked, “I would have liked a strong player like him to have made a gesture towards De Ketelaere, saying ‘come on, keep the ball, put it in.’”
In the context of Atalanta’s future, Gasperini also made waves with a statement regarding his own tenure at the club. When questioned about his long-term plans, the veteran coach admitted that he was considering stepping down at the end of the season. His contract with the Bergamo club expires next year, and he hinted that he may leave the club earlier if he felt it was the right time to move on.
“There’s always a beginning and an end,” Gasperini said thoughtfully. “At the end of the year, I will decide whether to let my contract run its course or leave earlier. But there will be no renewal. It’s clear there will be no continuation beyond the end of this contract.”
Gasperini, who has been with Atalanta since 2016 and has steered the club through some of its most successful campaigns in recent years, was reflective as he discussed his future. Under his leadership, Atalanta has seen a meteoric rise, including a qualification for the Champions League and establishing itself as a formidable force in Italian football. However, recent disappointments, particularly the Champions League elimination, have led to increasing pressure on Gasperini, both from fans and within the club.
Despite the controversy surrounding Lookman’s penalty miss and the subsequent fallout, Gasperini’s remarks point to a desire for growth, both for the team and for the players under his charge. While many would agree that Lookman is a talented forward, Gasperini’s challenge is clear: he wants his players to excel in all areas, not just their strengths.
“Lookman has the potential to be a complete player,” Gasperini said. “He can score goals, yes, but he can also develop other aspects of his game. Penalty-taking is just one of those areas. I believe he can improve in this respect, and I hope he does.”
As Atalanta prepares for their Serie A clash against Empoli, all eyes will be on Lookman’s reaction and the team’s performance. The Nigerian forward has been in fine form this season, scoring goals in multiple competitions, and he will be eager to put this latest episode behind him and focus on helping his team secure another vital victory in the league.
With the tensions between Lookman and Gasperini momentarily at a standstill, the club’s fans remain hopeful that the relationship between coach and player will mend. Atalanta, sitting mid-table in Serie A, still has plenty to fight for this season, and Lookman’s contributions could be crucial in ensuring they end the campaign on a high note.
Ultimately, whether Gasperini stays beyond this season or not, his handling of the Lookman controversy will likely remain one of the defining moments of his managerial career. Will it be remembered as a moment of miscommunication, or a necessary spark for growth? Only time will tell.
