Gasperini explains hug with ‘fantastic’ Lookman: ‘He can be the captain’ | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini hugged Ademola Lookman during a 4-0 win against Juventus on Sunday and praised the Nigerian striker after the game: ‘I’m convinced he can be the captain before the end of the season.’

Lookman scored a goal in Atalanta’s hammering 4-0 win over Juventus in Turin.

He was subbed off at minute 80 and hugged his coach, Gasperini, on the touchline.

“When a group spends 300 days together in a year, people can have different views,” Gasperini said at a post-match press conference attended by Football Italia.

“Lookman became a fantastic player when he improved his perception of the team. He used to have a more individual approach. He wasn’t a bad guy, but he mostly focused on the individual. He made Atalanta great, and Atalanta made him great. I am convinced he can be the captain before the end of the season.”

Gasperini and Lookman argued after the Nigeria international missed a spot-kick in February in a Champions League game against Club Brugge.