Ademola Lookman’s penalty miss in Atalanta’s UEFA Champions League play-off against Club Brugge has reignited tensions between the Super Eagles forward and manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
Returning from injury, the reigning CAF Player of the Year started on the bench and was introduced at the start of the second half with Atalanta trailing 3-0. He quickly made an impact, scoring just seconds after coming on.
However, in the 61st minute, he missed a crucial penalty that could have given Atalanta hope of staging a comeback.
After the match, Gasperini publicly criticised Lookman in a manner that drew significant backlash.
“He shouldn’t have taken it, clearly. I think he’s one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen. In training, his percentage is super low, and he hits it badly,” the Atalanta boss said.
The comment, viewed as overly harsh, prompted a strong response from Lookman, who took to social media to express his disappointment.
“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 to help bring success to this club and to the incredible fans of Bergamo,” he wrote.
While this latest fallout has brought their differences into the spotlight, tensions between Lookman and Gasperini have been brewing since last summer.
Atalanta’s decision to block Lookman’s summer exit
Lookman’s relationship with Gasperini reportedly became strained over the summer when the Nigeria forward expressed a desire to move to a bigger club. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) emerged as a strong contender for his signature, with reports suggesting that he had even reached a personal agreement with the French giants.
Like his teammate Teun Koopmeiners, Lookman expressed a desire to leave Atalanta for a more high-profile opportunity.
The club initially seemed open to the idea, allowing him to sit out some early-season matches while potential transfers were explored.
However, when no move materialised, Lookman was reintegrated into the squad. Reports suggest that Gasperini and the Atalanta hierarchy were unimpressed with the situation, viewing his transfer request as a lack of commitment to the club.
The tension carried over into the season, subtly shaping the dynamic between player and manager.
Lookman's half-time substitution against Venezia
Lookman’s frustration with Gasperini was further exacerbated in October when he was substituted at halftime during Atalanta’s match against Venezia.
The decision was reportedly not well received by the player, but it was Gasperini’s comments afterward that escalated the situation.
“He left because he was struggling to come back and couldn't play for the team. At that moment, we needed to tie the team together more,” the Atalanta manager alleged.
The 27-year-old was particularly unhappy with both the substitution and the reasoning behind it. The situation became so tense that Atalanta co-owner Stephen Pagliuca, who usually prioritises Champions League fixtures for his visits, made a rare trip to Italy to discuss the matter with the Nigeria international.
Lookman delivered an emphatic response the following weekend, registering two goals and two assists in just 60 minutes against Hellas Verona.
