Atalanta manager explains why Lookman was substituted for the second straight game

Speaking after Atalanta's goalless draw against Celtic in a UEFA Champions League encounter at Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo on Wednesday, manager Gian Piero Gasperini explained the reason behind his decision to substitute Ademola Lookman for the second straight match.

The Nigeria international was replaced at halftime in his last outing in the Serie A and subbed out after 68 minutes in the matchday three Champions League clash.

Barely a minute had passed when Atalanta had a chance to open the scoring, thanks to a smooth interplay between Retegui and Lookman, whose shot from the edge of the box was eventually blocked by Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Atalanta had the best chance to break the deadlock at minute 18 when Pašalić unleashed a powerful header that rattled the crossbar and then sent the follow-up shot just over the bar.

Lookman was in the Super Eagles squad  left stranded at the airport for more than sixteen hours before a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Libya until the Nigerian government stepped in and arranged for the players and officials to return to Abuja.

Gian Piero Gasperini pointed out that Lookman has not been at his top physical level after coming back from Nigeria duty, which led to the decision to substitute him.

In quotes relayed by SOS FANTA, the Atalanta boss explained: "I tried to make a change with the substitutions, bringing in fresh players like Samardzic and Cuadrado, but it wasn't easy. 

"We perhaps overdid it with the crosses in the first half and weren't precise enough in finishing. Retegui and Lookman, for example, gave a lot, but they were coming from games with their respective national teams and it's not easy to always maintain the same intensity."

Ademola Lookman was recently nominated for the IFFHS Men's World Best Player 2024, alongside his international teammate Victor Osimhen.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com