Atalanta head coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, did not hold back in his criticism of Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman after the team’s Champions League exit at the hands of Club Brugge.
Lookman, who had earlier pulled one goal back in the second half, missed a crucial penalty that could have fueled a comeback in their 3-1 home defeat on Tuesday.
Brugge had already stunned Atalanta with a 3-0 halftime lead, and despite Lookman’s goal reducing the deficit, his saved penalty allowed the Belgian side to maintain control, sealing a 5-2 aggregate victory.
Gasperini made it clear that Lookman was not the designated penalty taker and should not have taken the shot.
“Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty, he is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” the Italian manager 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 coach also addressed the dismissal of Atalanta captain Rafael Tolói, who received a straight red card for shoving Maxim De Cuyper following a heated exchange over a throw-in.
“That was an ugly incident and we must never lose our heads,” Gasperini remarked.
“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 competition, following AC Milan’s 2-1 aggregate defeat to Feyenoord after a 1-1 draw in the second leg.
