Lookman sent message with Gasperini gesture after Atalanta brace | OneFootball

Ademola Lookman scored two sensational goals when Atalanta won 5-0 away to Empoli, but while celebrating with his teammates, he did not shake hands with coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

The last few days have been dominated by the fallout from the Champions League play-off defeat to Club Brugge, and specifically the moment when Lookman went against the agreed hierarchy by insisting on taking a penalty.

When it was saved by Simon Mignolet, Gasperini said in a press conference that Lookman should not have stepped up, seeing as he was “one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen.”

Lookman responded that he felt these words were “disrespectful” and unfair considering his contributions to the Atalanta cause over the last three seasons.

Lookman’s response on the pitch for Atalanta

epa11919188 Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman celebrates after scoring the 0-4 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match of Empoli FC against Atalanta BC, in Empoli, Italy, 23 February 2025. EPA-EFE/CLAUDIO GIOVANNINI

The African Player of the Year made his return to the starting XI in this evening’s trip to Empoli, his first start since sustaining an injury in late January, and contributed two goals in the 5-0 victory.

When he was substituted late on, Lookman walked off shaking hands with his teammates on the bench and assistant manager Tullio Gritti, but notably ignored coach Gasperini.

The move seemed to be a mutual one, as the coach also did not move towards the player in an attempt to shake his hand.

It suggests the atmosphere remains very frosty between them after this controversy, despite the club’s attempt to smooth things over with crisis talks.

There had already been reports Atalanta had promised to sell him in the summer of 2025 after he tried to push through a move to Paris Saint-Germain last summer.