Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has openly criticized Ademola Lookman for taking—and missing—a crucial penalty in the club’s UEFA Champions League play-off defeat against Club Brugge.
Atalanta crashed out of the competition after a 3-1 home loss, sealing a 5-2 aggregate exit. Brugge stunned the hosts with three first-half goals, leaving Atalanta with a mountain to climb.
Lookman, introduced after the break, immediately pulled one back. However, his momentum was short-lived as he missed a penalty in the 62nd minute, effectively killing Atalanta’s comeback hopes.
Gasperini did not hold back in his post-match reaction:
“Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty. He is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen.”
The Italian coach further revealed that Lookman’s penalty struggles extend to training, adding:
“He has a frankly terrible record. Retegui and De Ketelaere were designated to take it, but Lookman, in a moment of enthusiasm, took the ball. I did not appreciate that at all.”
With Atalanta now out of the Champions League, Lookman will hope to regain his manager’s trust as the team shifts focus back to domestic competitions.
