‘Not Meant to Offend’ – Atalanta coach clarifies Lookman penalty controversy

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has clarified his remarks about Ademola Lookman’s penalty-taking ability, insisting he did not intend to offend the Nigerian forward.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Gasperini addressed the backlash from his post-match comments following Atalanta’s Champions League elimination against Club Brugge, where he had described Lookman as “one of the worst penalty takers” he had ever seen.

“It had an extraordinary impact, everything that came afterwards… mine was not meant to be an offensive sentence,” Gasperini said, attempting to diffuse the controversy.

The Italian coach justified his statement by referencing Friday’s Serie A match between Udinese and Lecce, where Lorenzo Lucca took a penalty despite not being the designated taker.

“Yesterday in Udinese-Lecce, we had what could have been a drama, but luckily, the players let it go. I would have liked a strong player like Lookman to make a gesture towards De Ketelaere, saying: ‘Come on, keep the ball, put it in,’” Gasperini added.

Meanwhile, Cameroon FA president Samuel Eto’o has publicly backed Lookman, posting a heartfelt message on Instagram alongside a photo of the Nigerian forward with his Europa League medal from last season.

“My young brother, memory in football lasts 90 minutes, the time of a match, and then it’s on to the next,” the former Barcelona striker wrote.

“For us, you are and will always be our champion. Only those who have the courage to take the shot can miss. Thank you for your courage, great champion.”

The controversy erupted after Lookman, who has scored 17 goals this season, had earlier expressed his hurt at being singled out by Gasperini’s comments, describing them as “deeply disrespectful” in a social media post.