Ademola Lookman was in fine form for Atalanta before he was substituted against Napoli.
Angry Atalanta supporters have expressed their frustration towards coach Gian Piero Gasperini following the substitution of Ademola Lookman during a crucial match against SSC Napoli.
The decision came as Atalanta were striving to end a winless streak that has now extended to four matches across all competitions.
In a thrilling encounter at Gewiss Stadium on Saturday night, Lookman had just scored a remarkable equaliser in the 55th minute, bringing the score to 2-2 after Napoli had overturned Atalanta's initial lead.
However, with just 13 minutes remaining, Gasperini opted to replace Lookman with Nicolo Zaniolo. This decision was met with immediate backlash from fans, who took to social media to voice their discontent.
Critics argued that Lookman was instrumental in Atalanta's attack and had been "carrying the team on his shoulders."
One fan lamented, "Why take him out when he had the team on his shoulders and was delivering? The coach does this often and it almost always costs the team."
Another echoed similar sentiments, stating, "It's better to play 90 minutes with the same starting 11... the substitutions make the team slower and less creative."
Just a minute after Lookman's exit, Romelu Lukaku netted the decisive winner for Napoli, sealing a 3-2 victory for the visitors and further solidifying their position at the top of the Serie A standings.
The loss has left Atalanta fans questioning Gasperini's tactical decisions, particularly regarding substitutions that they believe hinder the team's performance.
Pulse Sports Nigeria's check revealed that the 27-year-old last featured from start to finish for the Europa League winners in the 1-1 draw against Lazio on December 28, 2024.
In his last three matches before the game against Napoli, he featured for 34, 61, and 80 minutes respectively.
As discussions continue online, it remains clear that Lookman's contributions have made him a fan favourite, and many supporters are calling for him to remain on the pitch for the entirety of matches moving forward.
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