Why Lookman-Gasperini feud angered Atalanta owners | OneFootball

Ademola Lookman and Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini had a public spat following the team’s elimination from the Champions League on Tuesday night in an episode which has reportedly angered the part of the club’s ownership.

Atalanta lost 3-1 at home to Club Brugge in the Champions League play-off round on Tuesday night, which sealed a 5-2 aggregate loss.

Lookman scored immediately after coming off the bench at half-time, but then missed a penalty which he was not supposed to take, which led Gasperini to call him “one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” during his post-match press conference.

BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 18: Simon Mignolet of Club Brugge KV dives as Ademola Lookman of Atalanta shoots and misses from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between Atalanta BC and Club Brugge KV at Gewiss Stadium on February 18, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

In response, Lookman released a statement labelling the comments as “hurtful and deeply disrespectful.” There have since been reports that several clubs are already keen on snapping up the reigning African Player of the Year if he decides to leave Atalanta in the summer.

Why Lookman-Gasperini spat angered Atalanta’s owners

BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 18: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of Atalanta, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between Atalanta BC and Club Brugge KV at Gewiss Stadium on February 18, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

In an attempt to smooth things over, Atalanta co-owner Antonio Percassi has flown in to act as a mediator in peace-keeping talks between the involved parties.

According to reports from TMW, Gasperini’s comments annoyed the Atalanta owners because they see Lookman as an ambassador, a key part of the club’s international appeal and one of the main reasons why the club are reigning Europa League champions.