Atalanta’s head coach Gian Piero Gasperini lauded the contributions of his substitutes, including Ademola Lookman, following his team’s solid performance against Sturm Graz in the UEFA Europa League.
Lookman started the game from the bench but replaced Matteo Retegui in the second half. The Nigerian Internation scored one goal and provided one assist as Atalanta secured an emphatic 5-0 victory at the Gewiss Stadium.
Speaking on his performance, the coach emphasized the importance of a collective effort in the victory, saying, “We need everyone. Those who came in did very well, from Lookman to Cuadrado, to those who played from the start.”
Despite a challenging first half where technical quality was slightly lacking, Gasperini remained upbeat about his team’s spirit, noting that they maintained a positive attitude throughout.
“The spirit was always positive, even if in the first half we lacked a bit of technical quality,” he remarked.
The coach also highlighted the crucial role of squad depth in maintaining the club’s competitiveness, particularly with the busy schedule ahead.
“Our strength is the group, and being able to count on multiple players in different roles is essential to face the many close matches that await us between the championship and the Coppa Italia,” he added.
Atalanta’s victory against Sturm Graz strengthened their position in the competition, but Gasperini’s focus quickly shifted to the upcoming challenges, particularly a looming clash with Barcelona.
