Atalanta’s Gian Piero Gasperini clarified his comments on Ademola Lookman’s penalty miss, stating he did not intend to offend the forward. He praised Lookman’s impact and hinted at his possible exit from the club, saying he may step down at the end of the season or when his contract expires.
Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini has addressed his recent remarks about Ademola Lookman, stating he never intended to offend the Nigerian forward. Lookman, who scored shortly after coming on in Atalanta’s Champions League clash against Club Brugge, missed a crucial penalty, prompting Gasperini to call him “one of the worst penalty-takers” he has seen. The comment sparked controversy, with Lookman deeming it “deeply disrespectful.”
Following internal discussions, Gasperini attempted to defuse tensions in a press conference, praising Lookman’s impact and clarifying his intent. He expressed a desire for the forward to develop his penalty-taking skills and support teammates like Charles De Ketelaere in such situations.
The 66-year-old coach also hinted at his potential departure from Atalanta, stating he may step down at the end of the season or when his contract expires. While he did not directly link his decision to the Lookman incident, Gasperini emphasized that his tenure has a definitive end, ruling out further contract extensions. His statement raises speculation about the club’s future leadership and the impact of recent controversies on his decision.
