Atalanta co-owner Stephen Pagliuca has criticized the remarks made by coach Gian Piero Gasperini about Ademola Lookman, describing it as a mistake

He, however, insisted that the Italian has a great passionate for coaching.

This was after Gasperini expressed his disappointment that Lookman lost Atalanta's penalty against Club Brugge.

According to him, the Nigerian international ought to have allowed the club's designated penalty taker to take the shot that would have given Atalanta a fighting chance, having lost the first leg.

Reacting, Lookman issued a statement expressing how he had been singled out a couple of times, signalling a desire to leave the Italian side.

Addressing the issue,Pagliuca told Gazzetta, “We want to put this situation behind us, and I think we have, considering the 5-0 victory [against Empoli].

“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.

“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 also reacted to Gasperini's decision not sign a new contract extension with Atalanta.

“This is something Luca Percassi will handle,” said Pagliuca.

“He takes care of these matters. We will do whatever Gasp believes is the best solution for him.”

ASA