Gian Pero Gasperini (phot credit: Imago)
Atalanta coach Gian Pero Gasperini has labeled Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman as the worst penalty taker following their 3-1 loss to Club Brugge in the Champions League round of 16 playoffs on Tuesday, Soccernet.ng reports.
La Dea were looking to stage a comeback when they welcomed Club Brugge to Bergamo for the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash.
Atalanta were already a goal down from the first leg and needed a big performance to upset Brugge. Lookman missed the first leg due to a knee injury, but he was expected to create some magic in the second leg.
The Super Eagles star started from the bench but was introduced into the game at halftime. Unfortunately, his task had even grown harder as Blauw-Zwart were already three goals up before the break, courtesy of goals from Chemsdine Talbi and Ferran Jutgla.
Lookman started well, as he scored in the first minute of the restart. He had another opportunity to add to his tally in the 60th minute, but Simon Mignolet saved his penalty kick.
Eventually, Atalanta had to settle for the 3-1 loss, which automatically ended their campaign in the Champions League.
After the game, coach Gasperini was mad about Lookman’s miss. He tore into the 27-year-old, calling him a terrible penalty taker.
“Ademola Lookman is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” Gasperini said, per Fabrizio Romano.
“He wanted 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”.
Atalanta do not have a designated penalty taker. Lookman, Charles De Ketelaere, Mario Pasalic, and Retegui have all shared the responsibility this season.
However, Lookman’s miss is not Atalanta’s first in the Champions League this season. Mario Retegui already missed one earlier in the competition against Arsenal.
Pasalic also missed one against Torino at the start of the season. In fact, it was costly, as La Dea went on to lose the game.
Before the Brugge game, Lookman had attempted only one penalty kick, and he scored. So, it is clear that Gasperini allowed his emotions to get the better of him.
Penalty kicks are usually 50-50, and top managers would never call out their players for missing.
With many top clubs interested in signing Lookman, Gasperini’s comments could cause a rift between the Nigerian and Atalanta. He may not think twice before exiting the club in the summer.
This post was last modified on February 19, 2025 7:28 am