Atalanta President Backs Lookman Amid Rift with Coach Gasperini
By, springnewsng Media Limited
Atalanta president Antonio Percassi has expressed optimism about the relationship between head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman. The club owner joined the team for lunch during their training session on Thursday, using the opportunity to address the brewing crisis following Lookman’s missed penalty in Atalanta’s UEFA Champions League exit.
Percassi’s intervention aimed to diffuse tensions and reaffirm the club’s support for both the player and the coach during this challenging period. Despite the controversy, the president remains confident in their professional relationship and the winger’s contributions to the squad.
Lookman Going ‘Nowhere’
Antonio Percassi also hinted that Atalanta intends to retain Ademola Lookman until the end of the season, dismissing any speculation of an imminent departure.
According to Sky Sports, the spat between Lookman and Gasperini occurred after the winger returned from injury as a half-time substitute in Atalanta’s Champions League play-off second leg against Club Brugge. With the team trailing 5-1 on aggregate, Lookman made an immediate impact, scoring within 36 seconds, per UEFA.
However, tensions escalated when the Nigerian international missed a crucial penalty. In response, coach Gasperini labeled the AFCON silver medallist ‘one of the worst penalty-takers.’ The criticism added to the scrutiny surrounding Lookman, who had attracted significant transfer interest after leading Atalanta to the Europa League title last season, where he scored a historic hat-trick in the final.
Reports indicate that Lookman had reached a personal agreement with Paris Saint-Germain, but the deal collapsed on deadline day, as per Kickoff. Despite this, Atalanta remains firm on keeping him as a key part of their squad for the remainder of the season.
