Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini was full of praise for Ademola Lookman after the winger played a key role in their emphatic 4-0 victory over Juventus on Sunday.
The Nigerian and Gasperini had a public fallout two weeks ago following Atalanta’s Champions League exit against Club Brugge, where the Nigerian forward missed a crucial penalty.
However, any lingering tensions seemed to have been put to rest, as Lookman delivered an impressive performance in Turin and shared an emotional hug with his coach when he was substituted in the 80th minute.
Speaking after the game, Gasperini acknowledged the importance of Lookman’s development and his contribution to the team.
“When a group spends 300 days together in a year, people can have different views,” Gasperini said. “Lookman became a fantastic player when he improved his perception of the team.
“He used to have a more individual approach. He wasn’t a bad guy, but he mostly focused on the individual. He made Atalanta great, and Atalanta made him great.”
The Atalanta boss also made a bold statement about Lookman’s leadership potential, saying, “I am convinced he can be the captain before the end of the season.”
Gasperini was equally thrilled with his team’s overall performance, as they dismantled a Juventus side that had won five consecutive league matches before Sunday’s defeat.
“This is football. You go from victory to defeat and back again, but remember Juventus were coming off five wins in a row,” he noted. “It was an unimaginable result for many, but it was the perfect performance from us.”
The victory keeps Atalanta firmly in the race for a top-four finish in Serie A as they continue their push for Champions League qualification.
