“We are all professionals”- What Atalanta boss Gasperini said about Ademola Lookman after Empoli brace

Atalanta coach Gian Pero Gasperini has praised Ademola Lookman’s professionalism following their fallout after the club’s 3-1 loss to Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, Soccernet.ng reports.

Lookman and Gasperini have dominated the news in the past week following the latter’s comment that the former is the worst penalty taker he has ever seen.

Gian Pero Gasperini (phot credit: Imago)

This has caused a big uproar in Nigeria, with many fans calling for Gasperini’s head. There were also fears that the issue would cause an upset in Atalanta’s dressing room.

Ademola Lookman (Photo credit: Imago)

However, Gasperini named Lookman in the starting eleven, and the Nigerian delivered. The 27-year-old Super Eagles star produced two goals to help Atalanta to a 5-0 romping over Empoli.

With two goals, Ademola Lookman is the Panini Player of the Match for #EmpoliAtalanta pic.twitter.com/lgLeL9YVNu

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 23, 2025

After the game, Gasperini spoke about the fallout with Lookman and he praised the Nigerian’s professionalism and character.

“I don’t know what you mean by professionalism but it’s the best way to move forward. We are all professionals, we played a good game and scored some good goals,” Gasperini said per Sos Fanta.

“Lookman has always scored a lot of goals, at least since he’s been with us. He’s become an extraordinary player, especially when he made himself available to the team, becoming a super player. He said he’s attached to the fans and I appreciate that a lot.”

Ademola Lookman will look to end the campaign on a high

Ademola Lookman and Sead Kolasinac of Atalanta (Photo credit: Imago)

With 12 games left until the end of the Serie A season, Lookman will be looking to end the campaign on a high. He is the second-highest goalscorer for Atalanta in the Italian top flight this season.

Atalanta have a good shot at winning the Scudetto as they have 54 points in third place, three points behind Inter Milan.

If he can help Atalanta win their first-ever Scudetto this season, he would have etched his name in the club’s history.