'Went against our policy' - Atalanta co-president breaks silence on Gasperini and Lookman feud

Atalanta co-president Stephen Gerard Pagliuca has addressed the controversy surrounding head coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s recent comments about Ademola Lookman, calling the incident a mistake that went against the club’s values.

The dispute arose after Atalanta’s 3-1 home defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League, which saw them eliminated from the competition. 

Lookman, who missed a crucial penalty in the match, was publicly criticized by Gasperini, who labeled him 'one of the worst penalty takers' he had ever seen. 

The remarks sparked widespread debate and drew backlash from fans and analysts alike.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Pagliuca sought to put the matter to rest, emphasizing that the club prefers to handle setbacks collectively rather than place blame on individual players.

"We want to put this story behind us, and I think we've done so given the 5-0 win at Empoli,” Pagliuca was quoted as saying by Sportmediaset.

"These games are always very heartfelt; we like the passion with which they are played. We have a great coach, very passionate. 

"He made a mistake when he spoke about an individual because at Atalanta, we have a policy: if things go badly, we take the blame, we look at ourselves, at how to do better."

Pagliuca reaffirmed Lookman’s importance to the team and praised the contributions of the entire squad, including Charles De Ketelaere. 

He pointed out that Atalanta’s success this season would not have been possible without the collective effort of the players, despite injuries to key members of the squad.

"The players are having an extraordinary season,” he continued. 

"We wouldn’t be where we are now if it weren’t like that, without the contribution of Lookman, De Ketelaere… 

"The whole team, I should name them all. We faced Brugge without five important players, all injured. 

"Gasperini’s reaction was emotional, unfortunate, a mistake that went against our policy and something we’re not proud of. But I repeat, Gasp is still a great coach."

Lookman, for his part, responded to Gasperini’s remarks by expressing his disappointment, calling the comments 'deeply disrespectful.' 

The Nigerian forward explained that he took the penalty upon the instruction of the designated taker and remained focused on helping the team succeed.

Despite the controversy, Lookman’s performance on the pitch remains unaffected. 

In the immediate aftermath of the dispute, he played a starring role in Atalanta’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Empoli, scoring twice and demonstrating his resilience. 

The result helped Atalanta move up to third place in Serie A, just three points behind league leaders Inter Milan.

Gasperini later attempted to clarify his comments, insisting that they were not meant to insult Lookman but rather to motivate him. 

The coach acknowledged the forward’s talent and emphasized that improvement in penalty-taking was part of his development.

Pagliuca’s remarks signal Atalanta’s intention to move past the controversy and refocus on their ambitions for the season. 

With key fixtures ahead, the club will be looking to maintain their strong form while ensuring unity within the squad.

Wale Adejumo

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