Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini slammed Ademola Lookman as ‘one in all the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen’ after the club’s Champions League exit.
Ex-Premier League winger Lookman was on track during Atalanta’s Champions League defeat to Club Brugge on Tuesday night but additionally missed from the spot.
Gasperini revealed after the match that Lookman was not alleged to take the penalty but took matters into his own hands after scoring.
Club Brugge sealed a surprise 2-1 win over Serie A side Atalanta in the primary leg of their Champions League play-off match and were in dreamland once they scored three goals within the opening 45 minutes of the second leg in Italy.
Lookman was introduced at half-time after recovering from a recent injury and made an easy impact, scoring early into the second half to present Atalanta hope of an unlikely comeback.
Atalanta had the possibility to get one other goal back once they were awarded a penalty but Lookman’s effort was saved by former Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
The house side grew increasingly frustrated and captain Rafael Toilo was sent off late on for shoving Maxim de Cuyper after the Belgian defender stopped him from taking a fast throw-in.
In his post-match press conference, Atalanta boss Gasperini hit out at Lookman’s ability from the penalty spot and his decision to take the spot-kick.
‘Ademola Lookman is one in all the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,’ he said of a player who played for Everton, Fulham and Leicester City after coming through at Charlton Athletic.
‘He desired to take the penalty after scoring a goal, he took the ball despite Retegui and De Keteleare available to take it… I didn’t like what Lookman did.’
The comments surprised fans and even former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand, who commented ‘liberty’ beneath a post highlighting Gasperini’s outburst.
Lookman has been one in all Atalanta’s best players over the past three seasons, scoring 46 goals in 104 appearances and helping the club win the Europa League last season, scoring a hat-trick in the ultimate.
The Nigeria international has won the club’s Player of the Season award twice and was the African Footballer of the 12 months for 2024.
Speaking more generally about his side’s Champions League exit, Gasperini added: ‘They were two slightly strange games, because the Champions League is a tournament decided by incidents and moments.
‘We conceded a goal right away, then one other moments after hitting the woodwork, in order that they made probably the most out of each situation. It was incredible to enter the break 3-0 down after those performances.
‘The team at all times played with dignity, created many scoring opportunities, missed a penalty, had a goal-line clearance. Any of those moments could’ve modified the sport.’
Belgian side Club Brugge will face Premier League club Aston Villa or French outfit Lille within the last-16 of the Champions League.
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