Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini had previously lashed out at Lookman after he missed a penalty in the Champions League qualifier against Club Brugge.
The Nigerian star had been struggling with an injury before that match. Coming on in the second half, Lookman managed to find the net twice, but one of his goals was disallowed for offside. He had been highly effective in attack since entering the game, but he failed to convert a crucial penalty for his team.
Because of this, Gian Piero Gasperini labeled him as one of the worst penalty takers he had ever seen. This statement created tension between the two. Many African footballers publicly supported Lookman, who had been named Africa’s best player.
However, a different scenario unfolded in the recent match against Venezia. This time, Lookman was the one having an off day. The Nigerian forward failed to capitalize on any of the chances that came his way. In the dying moments of the match, he found himself in a perfect position after Sead Kolasinac flicked a header to him, but he sent the ball over the bar.
The match ended 0-0, and Atalanta dropped points, widening the gap between them and the league leaders. While their title hopes remain alive, this setback could pose a challenge.
This time, however, Gian Piero Gasperini’s response was entirely different. He emphasized Lookman’s importance to the team while still criticizing their lack of finishing ability:
“Lookman is and always remains our most lively player,” Gasperini stated.
“He had multiple chances and found himself in dangerous positions several times, but unfortunately, we weren’t sharp enough to finish them off. Retegui also had opportunities, but at the moment, we are less precise.”