Serie A: Atalanta coach explains hug with ‘fantastic’ Lookman

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Serie A: Atalanta coach explains hug with ‘fantastic’ Lookman

Atalanta manager, Gian Piero Gasperini and winger, Ademola Lookman hugged each other during La Dea’s 4-0 rout of Juventus at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

The pair argued after the Nigeria international missed a penalty in a UEFA Champions League game against Club Brugge last month.

Lookman snubbed Gasperini after he was substituted in La Dea’s following game against Empoli.

The winger scored Atalanta’s fourth goal against Juventus

The 27-year-old was substituted 10 minutes from time, and hugged his coach on the touchline.

“When a group spends 300 days together in a year, people can have different views,” Gasperini said at a post-match press conference.

“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. I am convinced he can be the captain before the end of the season,” he added.