Pagliuca: Gasperini ‘made a mistake’ with Lookman, ‘we are not proud’ | OneFootball

Atalanta co-owner Stephen Pagliuca admits Gian Piero Gasperini’ made a mistake’ with his remarks on Ademola Lookman but insists the Italian is a ‘great, passionate coach.’

Gasperini and Lookman argued off the pitch last week, when the Italian tactician called his striker “one of the worst” penalty kick tackers after seeing him miss a spot-kick against Club Brugge in the Champions League.

“We want to put this situation behind us, and I think we have, considering the 5-0 victory [against Empoli],” Pagliuca told Gazzetta.

“These matches are always intense. We love the passion with which they are played. We have a great coach, very passionate. He made a mistake by speaking about an individual. At Atalanta, with the Percassi family, we have a policy: if things go wrong, we take responsibility. We look at ourselves and how to improve.

Pagliuca: Gasperini ‘made a mistake’ with Lookman, ‘we are not proud’

“The players are having an extraordinary season, we wouldn’t be where we are now without the contributions of Lookman, De Ketelaere, and the whole team. I should name them all. We faced Brugge without five key players, all injured. Gasperini’s reaction was emotional and unfortunate, and it was a mistake that went against our policy, something we are not proud of. But I repeat, Gasp remains a great coach.”

Gasperini has also said he would not sign a new contract extension with Atalanta, meaning he would leave in 2026 or at the end of the current campaign.

“This is something Luca Percassi will handle,” said Pagliuca.

“He takes care of these matters. We will do whatever Gasp believes is the best solution for him.”

Atalanta reacted to a Champions League elimination at the hands of Club Brugge with a 5-0 win over Empoli on Sunday.

“Serie A is a very competitive league; winning 5-0 away from home is never easy. It was a great satisfaction. We needed it,” said Pagliuca.

“First of all, I have to give credit to Brugge, who played two incredible matches. But if we consider the injuries and what I think was one of the most questionable refereeing decisions I have ever seen in my life. If that was a penalty, they should call five per game,” he continued.

“These things happen. Last season, things went our way many times; this year, we’ve been less fortunate with injuries and refereeing decisions.”

The latest win over Empoli left Atalanta sitting third in the Serie A table, just three points below the top spot.

EMPOLI, ITALY – FEBRUARY 23: Gian Piero Gasperini manager of Atalanta BC reacts during the Serie A match between Empoli and Atalanta at Stadio Carlo Castellani on February 23, 2025 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“We are very proud of what the team is doing. There are 13 matches left and we hope to maintain the momentum we gained on Sunday in Empoli and keep going,” said Pagliuca.

“Every year, the goal is to finish as high as possible in the standings in a very competitive league. Just look at how many teams are fighting for a place in Europe and for the title. Enormous credit must be given to Luca and Antonio Percassi and our staff for putting together such a deep squad, allowing us to compete for the Scudetto despite the many injuries we have had, most of them to key starters.

“We want to keep growing, year after year, season after season. We bought land in Zingonia next to the training centre to further expand what is already one of the best youth development centres in Europe. Investing in player development is crucial. We have an Under-23 team doing well, currently in the playoff zone. The youth sector is performing well, allowing us to have a talent pool to draw from for the future.”

Atalanta’s projects off the pitch include a newly refurbished stadium inaugurated at the start of the season.

“It’s a masterpiece. The Percassi family managed the project brilliantly, keeping to schedule and budget,” Pagliuca concluded.

“It offers a much better experience for our fans than the past while maintaining the historic aspects of the stadium. I believe it is one of the most beautiful stadiums not only in Italy but in Europe as well. Not to mention the food in the skyboxes, provided by a Michelin-starred chef. I’d gain about twenty kilos if I came to Bergamo for every Atalanta match!”