Atalanta boss says miscommunication led to Nigerian forward being wrongly substituted in 1-0 loss
In a costly and unusual twist during Atalanta’s 1-0 home defeat to Lazio, manager Gian Piero Gasperini admitted after the match that forward Ademola Lookman was mistakenly substituted due to a mix-up on the sidelines.
The error occurred in the 75th minute, at a time when Atalanta were pushing for an equalizer. Lookman, one of the team’s most dangerous attacking threats, was withdrawn from the pitch—but the substitution was never meant for him.
According to Gasperini, the staff had intended to substitute Brazilian midfielder Ederson. However, a miscommunication led to the wrong number being raised on the electronic board, and by the time the mistake was noticed, it was too late to reverse the decision.
“There was a mistake. Only Retegui was subbed to come off,” Gasperini told DAZN (via Football Italia) after the game. “Unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding between ‘Ede’ [Ederson] and ‘Ade’ [Lookman], and we paid a high price for it.”
Missed Opportunity in the Title Race
The defeat comes as a major blow to Atalanta’s Serie A title hopes. The Bergamo-based club had been in strong form leading up to the match and were seen as legitimate contenders in what has been a tightly contested title race.
Gasperini’s side struggled to recover after Lookman’s removal, and the error proved to be more than just symbolic. Atalanta’s attacking rhythm visibly declined after the substitution, and the hosts were unable to find the breakthrough they needed.
The match’s only goal came in the 58th minute, with Lazio striker Ciro Immobile finding the net after capitalizing on a rare defensive lapse. Despite late pressure from the home side, Lazio held on for a vital three points.
Lookman’s Growing Influence
Lookman has been instrumental for Atalanta this season. The Nigerian international, now in his second year with the club, has built a reputation as a dynamic and creative attacker who can change the course of games with his pace and directness.
He has consistently delivered goals and assists, playing a key role in Atalanta’s rise in the league standings. His premature removal in such a critical fixture sparked confusion on the pitch and frustration from fans, who had expected him to be the focal point of Atalanta’s final push.
“Losing Lookman at such a critical moment took away one of our most important attacking outlets,” Gasperini admitted. “It’s an unfortunate incident that shouldn’t have happened. These are fine margins that can decide games, especially at this level.”
Lazio Capitalize and Reignite European Hopes
While much of the post-match discussion has focused on Atalanta’s substitution mishap, Lazio deserve credit for executing their game plan effectively. Head coach Maurizio Sarri’s side absorbed pressure and struck when it mattered, with Immobile’s finish proving decisive.
The win boosts Lazio’s chances of securing a European place next season and halts a recent dip in form that had put pressure on their campaign. For Sarri, the result could mark a turning point in what has been an inconsistent season.
Moving Forward
For Atalanta, the task now is to bounce back quickly from both the loss and the error that overshadowed it. With a tough run of fixtures still ahead, Gasperini’s men must show mental resilience to stay in the title hunt.
The manager is expected to review internal communication processes to ensure such mistakes don’t happen again—particularly with so much at stake in the final weeks of the season.
Lookman, meanwhile, is likely to be restored to the starting lineup in the next fixture, with Gasperini reaffirming his importance to the squad.
“He’s a very important player for us,” the manager stressed. “It was never our intention to take him off. We will move on from this and come back stronger.”
Conclusion
In a season defined by fine margins, Atalanta’s mistaken substitution of Ademola Lookman could go down as one of its most regrettable moments. Whether the club can recover from this setback and keep pace in the title race remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that attention to detail will be more important than ever weeks to come.
