Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has launched a scathing criticism of Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman after his missed penalty contributed to the club’s 3-1 defeat against Club Brugge in the Champions League knockout round play-offs.
Lookman, who had earlier scored Atalanta’s only goal of the match, stepped up for a crucial penalty but failed to convert, squandering a vital opportunity to bring his side back into contention. The miss proved costly, as Atalanta was unable to overturn their deficit, resulting in their elimination from the competition.
Following the match on Tuesday night, Gasperini did not hold back in his assessment of Lookman’s decision to take the penalty, openly criticising the player’s spot-kick abilities.
“Ademola Lookman is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” Gasperini said in his post-match interview. “He wanted to take the penalty after scoring a goal. He took the ball despite [Mateo] Retegui and [Charles] De Ketelaere being available to take it… I didn’t like what Lookman did.”
The Atalanta boss revealed that Lookman was not among the designated penalty takers but took it upon himself to step up from the spot, a decision that backfired as the Italian side struggled to recover from the setback.
Atalanta’s Champions League Hopes Crushed
The match saw Club Brugge take control early on, with the Belgian side capitalising on defensive lapses from Atalanta. Lookman’s goal offered the Serie A club a glimmer of hope, but the missed penalty sapped their momentum. Brugge later sealed the victory with a third goal, putting the tie beyond doubt.
Gasperini’s side had entered the knockout round play-offs with high expectations, hoping to make a deep run in the tournament. However, their elimination at this stage marks a significant disappointment for the club and its supporters.
Lookman, who has been one of Atalanta’s standout performers this season, found himself at the centre of controversy due to his missed opportunity. While the Nigerian international has been instrumental in Atalanta’s attacking setup, his penalty-taking skills have now come under scrutiny.
A Harsh Critique or Justified Frustration?
Gasperini’s blunt comments have sparked debate among fans and analysts, with some questioning whether the public criticism was necessary.
Some believe the coach’s frustration is understandable given the high stakes of the match, while others argue that such remarks could harm the player’s confidence moving forward.
Lookman has yet to respond to the criticism, but his role in Atalanta’s future matches may come under the spotlight following Gasperini’s outburst.
With Atalanta now out of the Champions League, they will have to shift their focus to domestic competitions, where they will look to bounce back from this setback. Gasperini, meanwhile, will have to reassess his squad’s penalty-taking hierarchy to avoid similar costly mistakes in the future.
As the dust settles on Atalanta’s European exit, all eyes will be on how the team—and Lookman—responds in the coming weeks.
