Lookman, Gasperini relationship still frosty – Report
The relationship between African Footballer of The Year Ademola Lookman and Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini remains strained despite the Nigerian scoring twice in their 5-0 thrashing of Empoli on Sunday, NewsNGR Sports Extra reports.
According to Football Italia, Lookman notably ignored Gasperini when substituted late in the match, walking off while shaking hands with teammates and assistant manager Tullio Gritti but deliberately bypassing the head coach, who also made no attempt to acknowledge the forward.
The cold interaction comes just days after their public fallout following Atalanta’s Champions League exit to Club Brugge, when Gasperini harshly criticised Lookman for missing a penalty, labelling him “one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen.”
The 27-year-old forward, making his first start since sustaining a knee injury in late January, delivered a perfect on-field response with two sensational goals at the Stadio Carlo Castellani that helped move La Dea within three points of Serie A leaders Inter Milan.
Lookman’s first goal came just before half-time when he nonchalantly rounded Empoli goalkeeper Marco Silvestri before passing into an empty net.
He added his second within 10 minutes of the restart, driving a controlled strike into the corner after being played in by Marten de Roon, taking his league tally to 12 for the season.
The reported frostiness suggests that Gasperini’s attempt to smooth things over at a press conference on Saturday had little effect. The 66-year-old manager had claimed his comments were “not meant to be an offensive sentence” while trying to justify his criticism.
“It had an extraordinary impact, everything that came afterwards… mine was not meant to be an offensive sentence,” Gasperini said.
“Yesterday in Udinese-Lecce we had what could have been a drama, luckily there were guys who let it go. I would have liked a strong player like Lookman to have made a gesture towards De Ketelaere saying: ‘Come on keep the ball, put it in,’”.
Lookman had earlier defended himself in an emotional statement, explaining that “the designated penalty taker instructed me to take the penalty,” directly contradicting Gasperini’s version of events. The Nigerian also expressed feeling “deeply disrespected” by his manager’s public criticism.
“It saddens me on a day like this to have to write this statement – most of all because of what we have achieved together as a team and as a city,” Lookman wrote. “Being singled out in the manner I have been not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful, not least because of the immense hard work and commitment I have always put in each and every day.”
The tension has been compounded by reports that Atalanta had already promised to sell Lookman this summer after he attempted to push through a move to Paris Saint-Germain last year. The latest incident seems to have pushed the relationship closer to breaking point.
Cameroon FA president and football legend Samuel Eto’o publicly backed Lookman amid the controversy, posting a supportive message on Instagram alongside a photo of the forward with his Europa League medal from last season.
“My young brother, memory in football lasts 90 minutes, the time of a match, and then it’s on to the next,” the former Barcelona striker wrote. “For us, you are and will always be our champion. Only those who have the courage to take the shot can miss.”
Former Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has advised Lookman to leave Atalanta this summer, drawing parallels to Victor Osimhen’s situation at Napoli two years ago when the striker was subjected to public ridicule by his club’s social media accounts shortly after leading them to their first Serie A title in 33 years.
“Atalanta took a chance on him during a difficult phase in his career, and he has since proven his worth. If he had not performed, they would likely have let him go. In my opinion, it may be time for him to move on, find a new club, and enjoy his football elsewhere,” Onazi told Sports Boom.
Despite featuring in fewer matches than many of his teammates due to injuries, Lookman has recorded impressive numbers this season with 17 goals and seven assists in 27 appearances across Serie A and the Champions League, establishing himself as one of Atalanta’s most valuable players.
His most significant contribution to the club came in May last year when his historic hat-trick secured Atalanta’s first-ever European trophy in a 3-0 victory over the then-unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final.
As Atalanta continue their push for the Serie A title, questions remain about whether the relationship between their star forward and veteran manager can be repaired or if the summer will bring an end to Lookman’s time in Bergamo.
