Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has strongly criticized Ademola Lookman’s penalty-taking abilities following the Nigerian forward’s crucial miss in their 3-1 Champions League defeat to Club Brugge.
Lookman, who had earlier scored Atalanta’s only goal of the match, squandered a vital opportunity to close the gap when he failed to convert a penalty. The miss proved costly, as the Italian side was unable to mount a comeback and ultimately crashed out of the competition.
Speaking after the match, Gasperini did not hold back his frustration, particularly with Lookman’s decision to step up for the spot-kick despite other designated takers being available.
“Ademola Lookman is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” Gasperini said. “He wanted to take the penalty after scoring a goal. He took the ball despite Retegui and De Keteleare being available to take it… I didn’t like what Lookman did.”
The Atalanta coach’s remarks underline his disappointment with Lookman’s judgment, as the missed penalty contributed to the team’s elimination from the tournament. The defeat marks a frustrating end to Atalanta’s Champions League campaign, with Lookman’s penalty miss likely to be a major talking point in the aftermath.
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