Atalanta have been forced into damage control after a public rift emerged between manager Gian Piero Gasperini and star forward Ademola Lookman in the wake of their Champions League elimination at the hands of Club Brugge, Soccernet.ng reports.

Lookman, Africa’s reigning Player of the Year, netted Atalanta’s only goal in their 3-1 home defeat to the Belgian champions, sealing a 5-2 aggregate loss in the round of 16 playoffs.

But instead of post-match reflection on the team’s shortcomings, the spotlight has shifted to a bitter war of words between Lookman and his manager, leaving the club’s hierarchy scrambling to restore harmony.