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Atalanta’s American co-owners are reportedly displeased with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini following his public criticism of Ademola Lookman after the club’s Champions League elimination, Footynaija.com understands.
The Europa League holders crashed out of Europe’s premier club competition in disappointing fashion, suffering a 5-2 aggregate defeat to Club Brugge—a team that only narrowly advanced from the group stage.
Atalanta lost both home and away, yet the spotlight has been stolen by Gasperini’s attempt to tongue-lash Lookman for missing a penalty in the second half of the second leg tie.
Atalanta owned partly by American businessman Stephen Pagliuca and other investors, and partly by Italian entrepreneur Antonio Percassi have received the controversy with mixed reactions.
While Percassi has worked to ease tensions between Gasperini and Lookman, the American ownership group is particularly angered by the coach’s public rebuke of the Nigerian forward, according to Tutto Atalanta.
Following Atalanta’s exit, Gasperini was critical of Lookman’s decision to take a penalty, saying, “He shouldn’t have taken it—he’s one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen.”
The manager insisted designated takers Charles De Ketelaere and Mateo Retegui should have stepped up instead.
His remarks did not sit well with Atalanta’s American backers, who view Lookman as a key figure in the club’s global profile, especially after his Europa League final heroics and African Golden Ball recognition.
Still, Percassi played a crucial role in mediating a tense confrontation between Gasperini and Lookman at the club’s Zingonia headquarters, urging both parties to remain professional for the remainder of the season. However, the situation remains fragile, and it is uncertain how Gasperini will handle Lookman going forward.
Atalanta sit third in Serie A behind Napoli and Inter Milan and the Bergamo-based club could push to secure a return to the Champions League.
Lookman could be crucial to that push as the Super Eagles winger has already registered ten goals and five assists in only 19 Serie A games this term.
