Lookman gives MUTE response to Gasperini dispute after Man-of-the-Match display vs Empoli
Ademola Lookman was the star of the show in Atalanta’s dominant 5-0 win over Empoli, scoring two goals in a commanding performance. However, the Nigerian forward made headlines after the match for his reaction to questions about his recent disagreement with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
The tension between Lookman and Gasperini had stemmed from an incident during a UEFA Champions League match, where the coach criticised Lookman over a missed penalty. Gasperini’s comments sparked a response from Lookman on social media, and the issue quickly became a hot topic at the club.
After his standout display against Empoli, the media were eager to revisit the matter. During a live TV interview, Lookman was asked if his disagreement with Gasperini had been resolved. Initially, Lookman appeared unsure about what had been said and turned to teammate Davide Zappacosta for clarification, asking, “He spoke quickly, what did he say?” as reported by Corriere dello Sport.
When journalist Massimiliano Nebuloni from Sky Sport Italia asked again, “Has the exchange with Gasperini been resolved and is it behind us?”, Lookman’s frustration was evident. Instead of answering, he walked away from the microphone with a visibly annoyed expression. Nebuloni pressed further, asking, “Nothing to say?” to which Lookman firmly responded with a single word: “Finish (finished).”
Although Atalanta had hoped to resolve the issue through a mediation session earlier in the week, involving president Antonio Percassi, it seems the tensions between the player and coach remain unresolved.
Lookman’s reaction suggests the matter has not been fully put to rest, despite the club’s efforts. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Juventus is keeping an eye on the situation, potentially looking to capitalise on any rift between Lookman and Gasperini.
