Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has moved to clear the air regarding his public criticism of Ademola Lookman, insisting that his remarks were never meant to be offensive.
The dispute erupted after the Italian coach labeled the Nigerian winger one of the worst penalty takers he had ever seen following a miss against Club Brugge, a comment Softfootball notes sparked a heated response from the player who felt disrespected by the harsh assessment.
Gasperini explained that his feedback was rooted in tactical preference rather than personal attack. He revealed that he wanted Lookman to pass the penalty duty to Charles De Ketelaere, believing it would add another scoring dimension to the team’s attack.
The manager dismissed suggestions of internal turmoil at Atalanta as media exaggeration, emphasizing that such discussions are normal within a competitive squad.
The coach further clarified that he always addresses the entire team openly and never intends to single out individuals for humiliation.
He expressed satisfaction that the situation did not escalate into a larger conflict, noting that while Lookman felt hurt, the matter has been handled without unnecessary drama or lasting damage to their professional relationship.
