Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has admitted he made a mistake in substituting forward Ademola Lookman during a pivotal match. The Italian coach made the confession following a controversial decision to take off the highly impactful Nigerian striker in the second half of Atalanta’s recent fixture.
Lookman, who has been in impressive form this season, had contributed significantly to his team’s attacking play, but Gasperini’s substitution raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike. In hindsight, the Atalanta manager acknowledged that removing Lookman from the pitch disrupted the team’s rhythm and deprived them of a key attacking threat.
“I made an error in judgment,” Gasperini said in his post-match comments. “I take full responsibility for that decision. Lookman was one of our most effective players on the field, and taking him off did not help us in the end.”
Despite the setback, Gasperini maintained that such decisions are part of the learning process, particularly in high-stakes matches. The substitution came at a time when Atalanta was struggling to break down the opposition, and Gasperini’s decision to replace Lookman with another attacker did not yield the desired result.
Atalanta fans have been vocal in their support for Lookman, with many expressing frustration over his early substitution. The Nigerian international has been one of the standout performers for the team, contributing crucial goals and assists this season.
Moving forward, Gasperini emphasized the importance of learning from such moments and promised to consider the team’s dynamics more carefully in future decisions.
