‘Why didn’t they start Lookman?’ — Fans slam ‘foolish’ Atalanta after shock loss to Fabregas’ Como
Atalanta's surprising 3-2 defeat at the hands of Como in Serie A left fans outraged, with much of their anger directed at coach Gianpiero Gasperini for leaving Nigerian star Ademola Lookman on the bench at the start of the match.
Lookman’s late impact fails to salvage Atalanta
Despite not starting the match, Lookman was able to get on the scoresheet after coming on, but his late strike was not enough to rescue his team, as Como secured a shocking victory over the Bergamo side.
Atalanta took the lead early through Davide Zappacosta in the 20th minute, but Como responded with three consecutive goals, including a Sead Kolasinac own goal, to establish a 3-1 lead.
Ademola Lookman was introduced in the second half, and the Nigerian forward managed to score late in the game.
However, it was merely a consolation goal as Atalanta succumbed to their third defeat in five Serie A matches at home to Como.
Fans criticise Gasperini’s decision to bench Lookman
Following the loss to Como, fans on social media slammed Atalanta coach Gianpiero Gasperini for his decision to leave Nigerian sensation Lookman on the bench at the start of the match.
The Moment i saw Lookman on the bench for Atalanta, i knew something fishy was coming up 😆 pic.twitter.com/53LJB0fTOS
— Tarzan99 (@shane_asylum) September 24, 2024
Atalanta paid the price for resting Ademola Lookman as they lost 2-3 at home to newly promoted Como
— footballtemple (@footballtempleX) September 24, 2024
The Nigerian came off the bench in the second half and converted a penalty in the closing stages but could not salvage a point for the Europa League Champions
#AtalantaComo… pic.twitter.com/wJ59yInX1y
Lookman is Atlanta's biggest player he makes things they would have won if he started instead put on the bench like a falz ,💔💔but he still scored clutch 💪💪 pic.twitter.com/5u5qHitsH5
— Hk🐐 (@UTD__Ronaldo) September 24, 2024
You bench lookman and Cuadrado foolish coach, Atalanta really injure me.
— ....... Arámide of LAGOS (@Aramideoflagos) September 24, 2024
Fans were unhappy that Atalanta decided to start the match against Como with arguably their best player on the bench, with some suggesting that Gasperini underrated Fabregas’ side.
Here is Atalanta Bench, including Ademola Lookman.🙀😮
— 𝐖𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬 (@widescores_com) September 24, 2024
The coach underrated Como or tactical plan ?#Atalantacomo pic.twitter.com/sdvRUX1sQV
Your coach killed the game.why was lookman on the bench
— T BARZ (@TONNZ99) September 24, 2024
Gasperini deserves this humiliation for always putting lookman on the bench
— 🇻🇦⁷⁷ (@lekanforthegods) September 24, 2024
no way de ketelaere and retegui should be starting ahead of him
Lookman has been one of the most important stars for Atalanta in recent times and was nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award after his Europa League final hat-trick last season.
Despite his heroics for Atalanta, Lookman has often found himself on the bench for La Dea. He started on the bench 10 times in Serie A last season and has now come on as a substitute for half of his league appearances this season.