Gasperini aims another swipe at Lookman over Atalanta record | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini aimed another quick sideswipe at Ademola Lookman following their bitter row. ‘He always scored goals, at least since he joined Atalanta.’

The rapport between coach and star striker is increasingly frosty and just keeps getting worse, especially as the player notably did not shake hands with his manager after a substitution in today’s 5-0 win away to Empoli.

Speaking at a press conference afterwards, Gasperini sent another quick reminder that while Atalanta owe a lot to Lookman, it very much goes two ways.

“Lookman has always scored a lot of goals, at least since he joined Atalanta. He has become an extraordinary player, especially when he puts himself at the disposal of the team.

“He said that he feels a bond with the fans and I appreciate that very much.”

Gasperini row with Lookman rolls on

EMPOLI, ITALY – FEBRUARY 23: Gian Piero Gasperini manager of Atalanta BC gestures during the Serie A match between Empoli and Atalanta at Stadio Carlo Castellani on February 23, 2025 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Lookman felt that Gasperini’s comments after the missed penalty in the Champions League play-off defeat to Club Brugge were “disrespectful.”

While it is true that his hat-trick in the Europa League Final last season secured victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, it cannot be denied that the 27-year-old’s career before Atalanta was one of unfulfilled potential.

He played for Charlton Athletic, Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham and Leicester City before the €9.35m plus bonuses move to Atalanta in the summer of 2022.

Lookman has scored 49 goals and provided 23 assists in 107 competitive appearances for La Dea.

In comparison, his record with Everton was just four goals in 48 games, with eight in 42 matches for Leicester City, four in 35 at Fulham and five in 24 appearances for RB Leipzig.

His most prolific experience was at Charlton Athletic with 12 goals in 49 games.

In the Premier League for three different clubs, Lookman scored a total of 11 goals in 96 matches, whereas he has 36 in 82 Serie A games.

At international level, Lookman was not called up by Nigeria until March 2022 and has eight goals with four assists in 27 caps.