Gasperini Calls Lookman The Worst Penalty Taker As Atalanta Crash Out of UCL

Atalanta’s coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, criticized his striker Ademola Lookman, stating he is “one of the worst penalty takers” he has ever encountered.

This remark followed Lookman’s missed penalty, which hampered the team’s efforts in their 3-1 home defeat against Club Brugge in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Lookman pulled back one goal early in the second half after Brugge took a 3-0 half-time lead but then had a penalty saved by goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, as the Serie A side was knocked out with a 5-2 aggregate defeat.

Gasperini singled out the Nigeria international for criticism, adding Charles De Ketelaere or striker Mateo Retegui should have taken the penalty instead.

“Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty, he is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” the Italian manager told a post-match press conference.

“He has a frankly terrible record even in training, he converts very few of them. Retegui and De Ketelaere were there, but Lookman, in a moment of enthusiasm after scoring, decided to take the ball, and that was a gesture I did not appreciate at all.”

Gasperini also took aim at Atalanta captain Rafael Toloi, who received a straight red card for pushing Maxim De Cuyper following a dispute over a throw-in.

“That was an ugly incident and we must never lose our heads,” he said.

“Atalanta must leave the Champions League with dignity, having played great games against the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal and Barcelona.”

Atalanta, currently in third place in Serie A, became the second Italian team to be eliminated from the Champions League, joining AC Milan, who drew 1-1 with Feyenoord and lost 2-1 on aggregate.