'A nice gesture' - Former Chelsea star reacts to Lookman, Atalanta boss burying the hatchet

Former Chelsea star Davide Zappacosta is delighted that Ademola Lookman and Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini have settled their differences. 

Gasperini and Lookman had been at loggerheads over a missed penalty during the second half of Atalanta's 3-1 loss to Club Brugge in a Champions League playoff tie at the Gewiss Stadium on Tuesday, February 18. 

Speaking to reporters post-match, Gasperini lambasted Lookman, referring to him as 'one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen' and expressing frustration that he took the spot-kick instead of the designated taker Charles De Ketelaere.

The following day, the Nigerian international accused his coach of being disrespectful, leading the club to convene an emergency meeting to resolve the public feud.

Gasperini and Lookman put their differences behind them, sharing a warm embrace during Atalanta's commanding 4-0 win over Juventus in a Serie A match last weekend after the African Footballer of the Year was substituted.

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, via SOS Fanta, Davide Zappacosta discussed the reconciliation between Gian Piero Gasperini and Ademola Lookman.

"The hug between Gasperini and Lookman? A nice gesture from both of them. But the coach was right: it was something born and died there. These are football things, when you spend so much time together," Zappacosta said.

Lookman has been named in Atalanta's 21-man squad for the Serie A showdown with Inter Milan scheduled to hold on Sunday evening at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.

After the game, he is expected to report for international duty in Rwanda ahead of the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier between the Wasps and Super Eagles.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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