Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero has come to the defence of Ademola Lookman after the Atalanta forward was publicly criticised by manager Gian Piero Gasperini in the aftermath of their Champions League elimination, Soccernet.ng reports.
Lookman, Atalanta’s talisman in recent seasons, found himself at the centre of a growing rift with Gasperini following the club’s shock exit to Club Brugge. The Belgian side, who barely scraped through to the playoffs, stunned the Serie A outfit with a 5-2 aggregate victory.
Atalanta entered the tie as strong favourites, having finished ninth in the overall Champions League rankings, while Club Brugge barely secured the 24th spot. Even after a 2-1 first-leg defeat in Belgium, the reigning Europa League champions were widely expected to overturn the deficit at home.
However, the return leg in Bergamo turned disastrous. Club Brugge raced into a 3-0 lead by halftime, leaving Atalanta with an uphill battle.
Gasperini turned to Lookman, who had just returned from injury, at the break. The Nigerian international made an instant impact, scoring within a minute to offer a glimmer of hope.
Midway through the second half, Atalanta won a penalty after Juan Cuadrado was fouled in the box. Lookman, designated to take the spot-kick by his teammate, stepped up, only for Simon Mignolet to deny him with a fine save. Atalanta never recovered, and their Champions League dream ended in humiliation.
In the post-match press conference, Gasperini’s frustration boiled over.
Rather than focusing on his defence, which had conceded five goals across the two legs, or captain Rafael Toloi, who was sent off for a reckless challenge, the veteran manager singled out Lookman.
Del Piero, Italy’s second-highest all-time goalscorer, was unimpressed with Gasperini’s handling of the situation, warning that such public criticism could destabilise the dressing room.
“The mistake like the one on the penalty kick is human,” Del Piero said as per Tutto Atalanta.
“Regardless of the internal dynamics, I wouldn’t have taken Gasperini’s words in the post-match well. Lookman’s response today also shows this.
“He’s having an extraordinary season, and yet you put him in the pillory, also risking cracking the dressing room. Let’s see how the team reacts…”
Ademola Lookman responds: “It hurts”
Former Leicester City and Everton winger Lookman did not stay silent.
In a carefully worded statement on social media, Lookman expressed his disappointment over Gasperini’s remarks.
“It saddens me on a day like this to have to write this statement – most of all because of what we have achieved together as a team and as a city,” Lookman wrote.
“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.
“During the match, the designated penalty taker instructed me to take the penalty; and to support the team, I took responsibility in the moment to do so. Life’s about challenges and turning pain into power, which I’ll continue to do.”
With the tension between player and manager escalating, Atalanta’s senior management is stepping in to mediate.
According to reports, high-ranking club officials will visit the training base in Zingonia on Thursday in a bid to prevent further fallout.
Lookman remains crucial to Atalanta’s ambitions, having been named the club’s Player of the Season for two consecutive years. However, the 26-year-old’s future now appears uncertain, with reports suggesting he could depart this summer.
Juventus, who also suffered a Champions League exit to PSV, are reportedly keen on signing Lookman, with a €60 million move under discussion.
Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool have previously shown interest, and Atalanta may find it difficult to keep hold of their star forward after this public dispute.
Lookman has been in exceptional form this season, registering 15 goals and seven assists in 28 appearances across all competitions. If the fallout with Gasperini is not resolved, the Nigerian international could soon be plying his trade elsewhere.
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