Atalanta’s 1-0 home defeat to Lazio on Sunday was marred by confusion on the bench, culminating in the unintended substitution of key forward Ademola Lookman. The incident occurred in the second half, during a moment when head coach Gian Piero Gasperini attempted to reshuffle his team in search of an equalizer.
As reported by Corriere dello Sport, Gasperini was aiming to bring on midfielder Lazar Samardzic for Ederson. The coach instructed the team manager to take off Ederson, referring to him by the nickname “Ede.” However, the message was misunderstood by a staff member, who thought the coach had said “Ade”—a shorthand for Ademola Lookman.
By the time the error was noticed, Lookman’s number was already displayed on the electronic substitution board. Gasperini realized the mistake too late and was unable to stop the change, visibly angry as one of his most dangerous attacking options left the pitch prematurely.
More Frustration for Gasperini and Atalanta
Just four minutes after the mix-up, Ederson was eventually substituted as originally intended, with Marco Brescianini coming on to replace him. This added to the sense of disarray during the final stages of the match, as Atalanta pushed for a goal that never came.
Earlier in the match, Italy international Mateo Retegui had also been taken off. The striker appeared noticeably displeased while sitting on the bench following his substitution, further highlighting the frustration that seemed to grip the Atalanta squad during the game.
Gasperini, who is known for his animated presence on the sidelines, was reportedly furious with how the substitution was handled. The miscommunication not only disrupted his tactical plans but also led to the removal of one of the team’s most reliable goal threats.
Winless Streak at Home Deepens
The loss marked Atalanta’s third consecutive defeat and continued a concerning trend at home. La Dea have now failed to secure a victory at the Gewiss Stadium since December 22, extending their winless run in front of their fans.
With mounting pressure and key decisions going awry, the atmosphere around the club has become increasingly tense. The mistaken substitution of Lookman stands as a symbol of the confusion and inconsistency that have plagued Atalanta during this rough patch.
