Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini has criticized his striker, Ademola Lookman, calling him “one of the worst penalty takers he has ever seen” after his missed spot-kick hindered their comeback in a 3-1 home defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Lookman had given Atalanta hope early in the second half after Brugge took a 3-0 lead at halftime, but his penalty was saved by Simon Mignolet, sealing Atalanta’s exit with a 5-2 aggregate loss.
Gasperini expressed his frustration, insisting that attacking midfielder 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,” Gasperini said in his post-match press conference.
“His record is terrible, even in training. He converts very few of them. Retegui and De Ketelaere were available, but Lookman, in a moment of enthusiasm after scoring, decided to take the ball. That was a gesture I did not appreciate at all.”
The Italian manager also criticized Atalanta captain Rafael Tolói, who was shown a straight red card for shoving Maxim De Cuyper after an argument over a throw-in.
“That was an ugly incident, and we must never lose our heads,” he added.
“Atalanta must leave the Champions League with dignity, having played great games against the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Barcelona.”
Atalanta, currently third in Serie A, became the second Italian club to exit the Champions League, following AC Milan, who were eliminated after a 2-1 aggregate loss to Feyenoord.
