Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has clarified that he didn’t mean to hurt or embarrass the Super Eagles forward with his comments after the team crashed out of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
The Italians failed to progress to the round of 16 after losing 5-2 on aggregate to Belgian side Club Brugge in the playoffs with Gasperini channeling his frustration on Lookman after he failed to convert a penalty kick.
The Nigeria international coming back from injury was introduced into the game at halftime and found the back of the net 34 minutes after his introduction but after losing a penalty in the game, Gasperini exploded at full time terminating him “one of the worst penalty kick takers”.
He also blamed the Nigerian for not leaving the spot kick to the designated takers Mateo Reregui and Charles De Ketelaere.
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Lookman responded with a statement that he was hurt and embarrassed by Gasperini’s statement, “Being singled out in the manner I have 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.”
Gasperini in his pre-match press conference has come out to clarify that he did not intend to hurt nor embarrass Lookman with his comment.
“He had an extraordinary impact. My words were never meant to be offensive,” Gasperini said at a press conference on Saturday per FootballItalia.
“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,” continued Gasperini.
“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.”
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