Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini revealed that he occasionally has disagreements with Super Eagles’ Ademola Lookman while reflecting on his relationship with the star attacker, Footynaija.com reports.
Gasperini recently called out Lookman in a widely reported dispute, sparked by the Italian gaffer’s comments about the Nigeria international after their shock elimination from the Champions League against Club Brugge.
During the second-leg of the game, Lookman took and missed a spot-kick, an outcome that saw Gasperini label him “one of the worst penalty takers ever.” Gasperini’s comments received backlash from the player, the media and even Atalanta’s club ownership.
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Following that chain of events, Lookman, who notched Atalanta’s fourth in their 4-0 thumping of Juventus, is expected to depart Bergamo at the end of the season with plenty of interest coming from top clubs all around Europe.
With his goal against the Old Lady, Lookman took his total goal contribution tally for the season to 25 goals and assists (18G, 7A) in 31 appearances across all competitions.
Gasperini’s take on Lookman’s Atalanta future
Speaking after Atalanta’s 4-0 victory over Juventus, Gasperini, who has a known history of clashing with his players, believes that disagreements are normal. The Italian insists Lookman still has a big role to play for Atalanta in the years to come.
“He and I have clashes and then we make up because he is an extraordinary player who sometimes has a bit of individualism, Gasperini said as quoted by Sos Fanta.
“However, I must say that in these years he has attacked the skin of Atalanta and before the end of the championship he will also wear the captain’s armband, which is a great gesture.
“We live 300 days a year together, the important thing is to retrace your steps. With Papu now we are very good friends again, it’s part of life.
“This is an example. People can have different visions. Lookman became a fantastic player when he thought more about the team.
“He often thought on an individual level, he made Atalanta great and Atalanta made him great. I am convinced that in the end he will wear the captain’s armband so he will have Atalanta on his skin.”
