Atalanta’s coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, found himself in hot water after making controversial comments about striker Ademola Lookman’s penalty-taking abilities. Following their Champions League loss to Club Brugge, Gasperini referred to Lookman as “one of the worst penalty takers he has ever seen.” However, Gasperini clarified that his remarks were not meant to offend Lookman and were simply a reflection of the situation on the field.
Despite Lookman’s goal in the match, Atalanta fell to Club Brugge with a 3-1 defeat in the second leg of their playoff match. With a 5-2 aggregate victory, the Belgian team secured a spot in the round of 16. Gasperini explained that Lookman was not the designated penalty taker, as Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere were on the pitch at the time.
In response to Gasperini’s comments, Lookman expressed his disappointment and deemed the remarks as disrespectful. Gasperini, however, compared the situation to a recent Serie A match where a similar incident occurred with a different outcome. He emphasized that his intention was not to offend Lookman and that he always addresses the team as a whole.
Looking ahead, Atalanta is set to face Empoli in Serie A, with Gasperini acknowledging the challenges posed by their opponents. Empoli, currently fighting for survival in the league, have shown resilience despite a string of difficult results. Gasperini expects a tough and balanced match against a quality team led by a skilled coach.
As Atalanta aims to maintain their position in the Serie A standings, Gasperini stressed the importance of giving their best in every game. With 51 points from 25 matches, Atalanta is determined to continue their strong performance and achieve their goals in the league. The team remains focused on their objectives as they face Empoli in an upcoming crucial fixture.
