Gasperini slams Lookman after costly penalty miss in Atalanta's Champions League exit

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini did not hold back in his criticism of Ademola Lookman after the striker missed a crucial penalty in their 3-1 home defeat to Club Brugge on Tuesday, sealing their Champions League elimination with a 5-2 aggregate loss.

Lookman had sparked hopes of a comeback with an early second-half goal after Brugge stormed to a 3-0 halftime lead. However, his missed spot-kick proved costly, with goalkeeper Simon Mignolet making the save as the Serie A side failed to overturn the deficit.

Gasperini openly criticized the Nigeria international’s decision to take the penalty, stating that either Charles De Ketelaere or Mateo Retegui should have stepped up 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. "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."

The Atalanta manager also expressed disappointment over captain Rafael Toloi’s red card for shoving Maxim De Cuyper during a heated exchange over a throw-in.

"That was an ugly incident, and we must never lose our heads," Gasperini said. "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 side to crash out of the competition, following AC Milan’s 2-1 aggregate defeat to Feyenoord.

SportsLigue