By Olaitan Ibrahim
Atalanta co-owner Stephen Pagliuca has acknowledged that head coach Gian Piero Gasperini ‘made a mistake’ with his comments about Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman but insists the Italian remains a ‘great and passionate coach.’
The controversy stemmed from Gasperini’s public criticism of Lookman after the forward missed a crucial penalty against Club Brugge in the Champions League.
The tactician had described Lookman as “one of the worst” penalty takers, a remark that sparked widespread debate.
Speaking with Gazzetta dello Sport, Pagliuca sought to downplay the incident, emphasizing the club’s collective approach to challenges.
“We want to put this situation behind us, and I think we have, considering the 5-0 victory [against Empoli],” he said.
According to Football Italia on Tuesday, “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.”
‘We are not proud of the incident’
Acknowledging Lookman’s crucial role in Atalanta’s impressive season, Pagliuca reiterated the club’s commitment to unity and resilience.
“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,” he said.
Punch Newspaper had previously reported on the tension between Gasperini and Lookman, noting that the coach’s remarks had drawn mixed reactions from fans and analysts.
Gasperini’s future uncertain
In addition to the Lookman controversy, Gasperini’s future at Atalanta has also been a topic of speculation.
The 66-year-old coach has stated that he would not be signing a contract extension, meaning he could leave in 2026 or at the end of the current season.
Addressing the situation, Pagliuca stated, “This is something Luca Percassi will handle. He takes care of these matters. We will do whatever Gasp believes is the best solution for him.”
Response to UCL exit
Atalanta bounced back from their Champions League elimination at the hands of Club Brugge with a commanding 5-0 win over Empoli.
Pagliuca described the victory as a crucial morale booster in an intensely competitive Serie A season.
“Serie A is a very competitive league; winning 5-0 away from home is never easy. It was a great satisfaction. We needed it,” he said.
Reflecting on the elimination, he added: “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.”
With 13 matches remaining, Atalanta sits third in the Serie A table, just three points off the top spot. Pagliuca reaffirmed the club’s ambition to maintain momentum and compete at the highest level.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Beyond immediate footballing goals, Atalanta is also making significant investments in infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art training facility and youth development programs.
“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,” he stated.
New era
Another major milestone for the club has been the renovation of their home stadium, inaugurated at the start of the season.
Pagliuca praised the project, emphasizing its modernized fan experience while preserving the stadium’s historic essence.
“It’s a masterpiece. The Percassi family managed the project brilliantly, keeping to schedule and budget,” he said.
“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!”