Atalanta have failed to win their last two matches since Ademola Lookman got injured and Gian Piero Gasperini could not hide his frustration
Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini was left frustrated after his side dominated Torino but failed to secure all three points in a 1-1 draw.
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The match, which saw Berat Djimsiti and Guillermo Maripan score headers, was marked by VAR controversy, a missed penalty, and an Atalanta side missing key players, including Ademola Lookman.
Atalanta struggle in Lookman’s absence
Atalanta came into the game off the back of a Champions League play-off-clinching draw against Barcelona, with their injury crisis worsened.
Ademola Lookman celebrates another important goal for Atalanta.
With Lookman out of the tie against Torino, Gasperini’s side struggled with cutting edge despite controlling possession.
They thought they had taken the lead through Raoul Bellanova, but VAR ruled his effort out for a handball.Shortly after, Djimsiti headed home from a corner, giving Atalanta a deserved lead.
However, Torino hit back quickly, with Maripan equalising from a header after a well-taken free kick, exposing Atalanta’s defensive vulnerability on set pieces.
Lookman’s absence was felt in the final third, with Atalanta failing to convert multiple chances. Marco Brescianini, Juan Cuadrado, and Lazar Samardzic all came close, but Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic proved unbeatable.
Gasperini blasts referee and VAR decisions
After the match, Gasperini did not hold back, criticising VAR and the referee for their inconsistent decisions.
Gian Piero Gasperini says his team won’t lack motivation to face Barcelona.
Atalanta had shouts for a penalty not given for a suspected handball by Saul Coco but later received a spot-kick for a shirt pull on Mateo Retegui—which Milinkovic-Savic saved.
The Atalanta boss said, “We are in a very busy period, but the lads have been reacting so well to this stress. When you play this well, create this many chances and feel that something has been taken away from you, then that is a problem.
Gasperini, Atalanta manager is happy with Lookman and his teammates. || Imago
“The trouble now is we don’t know if we have to appeal to the referee or the VAR, who is making the decisions now? It’s obvious that nobody understands anything now with handball, so if nobody understands, then any decision gets made and you can’t argue with it.”
With Lookman and several key players still sidelined, Gasperini will be hoping for reinforcements in the transfer market as Atalanta continue their push for a top-four finish in Serie A.
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