Former Juventus captain Del Piero has given his reaction amidst the ongoing penalty saga between CAF player of the year and Atalanta which was fueled by head coach Gian Gasperini following the club's UCL elimination on Tuesday night against Club Brugge.
Ademola Lookman who has been sidelined for six games due to a knee injury made the bench for the crucial UCL game with Atalanta already losing the first leg, they came into the game as favorites to overturn the results but the Belgian side took a three goal lead in the first half.
Gasperini then introduced his talisman who immediately got on the scoresheet to spark a comeback. Cuadrado then was stripped in the box, winning a penalty for the current Europa League champions which Lookman took and lost with Atalanta eliminated after failing to secure the needed result.
During his post match interview, Gasperini didn't hold back, tearing into Lookman, labelling him the 'worst penalty taker' which has sparked a lot of controversy and now Del Piero has admitted that such comment could set the dressing room in an uproar as well as interrupting team's dynamics.
"For Atalanta it was different, now Gasperini's team is observed and studied differently than in the past and even the internal pressure is higher, as demonstrated by the red card at the end and Gasperini's words in the post-match", Del Piero said to Tuto Atalanta.
"The mistake like the one on the penalty kick is human. Regardless of the internal dynamics, I wouldn't have taken Gasperini's words in the post-match well. Lookman's words in response today also prove it. He's having an extraordinary season and so you put him in the pillory, also risking cracking the dressing room. Let's see how the team reacts."
Lookman has released an official statement offering clarity on the penalty situation while maintaining his commitment to the team amidst a potential exit in the summer.
By Oluwadamilola Olaleye