Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has clarified that he had no intention of upsetting Ademola Lookman following his criticism of the forward after his penalty miss against Club Brugge in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League match.
Gasperini blamed Lookman for missing a penalty kick in the 3-1 defeat to the Belgian champions, saying that the forward was one of the worst penalty takers he had ever seen.
Lookman hit back saying that Gasperini’s words were disrespectful.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, ahead of Atalanta’s Serie A fixture at Empoli on Sunday, Gasperini said: “He (Lookman) had an extraordinary impact. My words were never meant to be offensive.”
Gasperini even mentioned the Lorenzo Lucca incident in Udinese’s win over Lecce on Friday.
“Yesterday, in Udinese-Lecce, we saw what could have turned into a global spectacle, but fortunately, the players let it go,” he said.
“I would have liked to see a great player like him [Lookman] make a gesture toward [Charles] De Ketelaere, saying, ‘Come on, take the ball, put it in.’ He could become a penalty taker, adding another scoring ability. But I almost feel like there’s a narrative being pushed that Atalanta are in chaos when the reality is quite different.
“I always speak in front of the whole team, this has never even been an issue within the club.
“The player felt offended, but I never intended to offend anyone. In the end, I think it turned out well because there was no unnecessary drama.
“I also appreciated what happened in the Udinese game, with both the players and the coach. Lookman came on against Brugge in an extraordinary way, and his gesture, even if generous, doesn’t change my opinion.”
On whether he will extend his contract at the UEFA Europa League holders, Gasperini added: “I don’t have much time left to do this; maybe this is the last chance. As has been said, there’s a beginning and an end.
“At the end of the year, we’ll see whether to let the contract run out or stop earlier, but there definitely won’t be any continuity. There will be no further renewals or extensions.”
