Lookman, Gasperini Reconcile As Atalanta Crush Juventus
Ademola Lookman and Gasperini bury rift as Atalanta Crush Juventus 4-0
Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini and Nigerian international Ademola Lookman shared a heartwarming moment on the touchline during Sunday’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Juventus at the Allianz Stadium. Lookman, substituted in the 80th minute, embraced his coach in a gesture that seemed to mend their public fallout from last month.
Lookman and Gasperini Bury the Hatchet
“Can I give you a hug; can you give me a nice smile?” Gasperini reportedly asked Lookman, according to Football Italia. This touching exchange appeared to put an end to tensions that had emerged following Atalanta’s Champions League exit.
Lookman had previously faced sharp criticism from Gasperini after missing a penalty in Atalanta’s 3-1 defeat to Club Brugge on February 18. However, his response on the pitch has been outstanding, culminating in a historic night against Juventus.
Lookman Shines in Record-Breaking Win
The 27-year-old forward notched his landmark 50th Serie A goal in the demolition of the Turin giants, bringing his season tally to 18 goals across all competitions—already surpassing his total from last term. He now boasts 25 goal contributions (18 goals, 7 assists) from 31 appearances this season, including five goals and two assists in the Champions League.
Sunday’s thrashing of Juventus marked their worst home defeat since 1967 and propelled Atalanta three points clear in the race for third place, keeping their slim Scudetto hopes alive.
How Atalanta Humiliated Juventus
35’ – Mateo Retegui opened the scoring from the penalty spot after a handball by Weston McKennie.
50’ – Marten De Roon doubled the lead, finishing from a rebound after Lookman’s powerful strike was parried.
69’ – Davide Zappacosta made it 3-0 following a slick exchange with Sead Kolasinac.
75’ – Lookman capitalized on Dusan Vlahovic’s slip in midfield, racing through to seal the victory with Atalanta’s fourth.
Lookman’s goal was particularly significant, as it marked his first-ever win against Juventus after five previous meetings that resulted in four draws and one defeat.
Gasperini Recognizes Lookman’s Leadership
Following the crucial win, Gasperini acknowledged Lookman’s growth and importance to Atalanta, even hinting at giving him the captain’s armband.
“When a group spends 300 days together in a year, people can have different views,” Gasperini said in his post-match press conference.
“Lookman became a fantastic player when he improved his perception of the team. He made Atalanta great, and Atalanta made him great. I am convinced he can be the captain before the end of the season.”
From Fallout to Redemption
Less than three weeks ago, Gasperini publicly criticized Lookman, calling him “one of the worst penalty-takers I’ve ever seen” after the forward missed a crucial spot-kick against Club Brugge.
The fallout sparked controversy, especially after Lookman revealed that the designated penalty taker had asked him to take the shot—contradicting Gasperini’s claim. Fans were quick to point out the double standards, as Retegui and captain Rafael Toloi had escaped similar scrutiny for their costly mistakes.
This led to speculation over Lookman’s future, with multiple Premier League clubs reportedly monitoring the situation. However, his recent performances reaffirm his value to Atalanta.
Lookman’s Impact and Future Prospects
Since joining La Dea, Lookman has been instrumental, notably scoring a historic hat-trick in last May’s Europa League final to secure Atalanta’s first-ever European trophy. His brilliance earned him the CAF African Footballer of the Year award in December, and he continues to shine as one of Africa’s top stars.
With Atalanta fighting for a Champions League spot and an outside shot at the Serie A title, Lookman’s resurgence comes at the perfect time. Their next challenge awaits on Sunday when they host Fiorentina at the Gewiss Stadium.
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