Ademola Lookman scored two sensational goals when Atalanta won 5-0 away to Empoli, but while celebrating with his teammates, he did not shake hands with coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
The last few days have been dominated by the fallout from the Champions League play-off defeat to Club Brugge, and specifically the moment when Lookman went against the agreed hierarchy by insisting on taking a penalty.
When it was saved by Simon Mignolet, Gasperini said in a press conference that Lookman should not have stepped up, seeing as he was “one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen.”
Lookman responded that he felt these words were “disrespectful” and unfair considering his contributions to the Atalanta cause over the last three seasons.
Lookman’s response on the pitch for Atalanta
The African Player of the Year made his return to the starting XI in this evening’s trip to Empoli, his first start since sustaining an injury in late January, and contributed two goals in the 5-0 victory.
When he was substituted late on, Lookman walked off shaking hands with his teammates on the bench and assistant manager Tullio Gritti, but notably ignored coach Gasperini.
The move seemed to be a mutual one, as the coach also did not move towards the player in an attempt to shake his hand.
It suggests the atmosphere remains very frosty between them after this controversy, despite the club’s attempt to smooth things over with crisis talks.
There had already been reports Atalanta had promised to sell him in the summer of 2025 after he tried to push through a move to Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
Stupid write up full of deliberate lies. Why do you ignore the part where Lookman said the designated penalty taker asked him to take the penalty.
Look many did not insist on taking the penalty against Club Brugge. The designated penalty taker gave him the ball.
Stop the lies. Lookman never insisted on taking the penalty but stepped up when those designated to do so didn’t have the nerves to step up. Stop spreading WHITE LIES.
Your report is a deliberate insult on Lookman. You emphasized Lookman not shaking the hands of the manager while giving a played down role to the fact that the manager didn’t congratulate him either for his MOTM performance. Again, you deliberately lied when you wrote that Lookman “insisted” on taking the penalty whereas it was the designated penalty taker that asked him to take it. And let me tell you: Lookmam’s penalty was quite good and on target; the goalkeeper was simply fortunate to have guessed the right direction.
Why are you always lying?
thank you @Boss Balls you observed the write up. immediately I saw the miss up I did not bother to believe whatever the Italian press man wrote in the remaining article. the article is biased and full of lies.
Why are you guys always ungrateful to African players?
Lies!!!!!!! Lookman NEVER INSISTED on taking the penalty. Mumu!
when you are biased right from time ,this is the resultant effect of that painting another black whereas you are the black one..The writer should apologize or I will take his lic.