Lookman refusal to put Gasperini row behind him: ‘Finished?’ | OneFootball

Ademola Lookman refused to answer when asked if his row with Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini is in the past, while Davide Zappacosta celebrated his first goal since October 2024.

The pressure was on La Dea following their surprise Champions League play-off elimination at the hands of Club Brugge.

They gave a strong response, hammering Empoli 5-0 at the Stadio Castellani with an Emanuel Gyasi own goal, Mateo Retegui tap-in, Ademola Lookman brace and Davide Zappacosta effort.

“The team won 5-0 today, we put in a good performance, everyone was at a high level and we showed quality,” Lookman told DAZN.

“We take every game as they come. We played well today, we have to continue this way and prepare for the next.”

Lookman was asked by Sky Sport Italia if the row with Gasperini was in the past, but refused to answer. He simply shrugged, looked around and eventually replied: “Finished?”

When he was substituted, the Nigeria international notably shook hands with assistant manager Tullio Gritti, but not the head coach.

Lookman and Zappacosta on target for Atalanta

epa11919188 Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman celebrates after scoring the 0-4 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match of Empoli FC against Atalanta BC, in Empoli, Italy, 23 February 2025. EPA-EFE/CLAUDIO GIOVANNINI

Zappacosta was also present for the post-match interviews, having scored his first goal since October 2024 and seen a cross deflected in off Gyasi.

“It was very important for us, as we were coming off a period where the performances and results weren’t at the best. We are therefore happy to have done well today,” added Zappacosta.

“The important thing is the team and to break the deadlock, then if I can help with an assist or goal, then I am happy, but Atalanta come first and we are truly satisfied with the performance.”

This result puts them within two points of second-placed Atalanta and three behind new leaders Inter, keeping them in the thick of the Scudetto race.

“There is no point right now thinking of long-term objectives, we have to take it one game at a time. We’ve seen some of the results recently show that every match is difficult, so we just have to keep going from here to the end.”