Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has openly criticized Ademola Lookman’s penalty-taking abilities following the team’s 3-1 loss to Club Brugge in the Champions League knockout round play-offs.
Lookman, who had earlier scored Atalanta’s only goal in the match, missed a crucial penalty that could have revived his team’s hopes. Speaking after the game on Tuesday, Gasperini expressed his frustration over the Nigerian forward’s decision to take the spot-kick.
“Ademola Lookman is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” the Atalanta boss remarked.
Gasperini revealed that Lookman took the penalty despite other designated takers, including Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere, being available.
“He wanted to take the penalty after scoring a goal. He took the ball despite Retegui and De Ketelaere being available to take it… I didn’t like what Lookman did,” Gasperini added.
The missed penalty proved costly as Atalanta failed to overturn their deficit, leading to their elimination from the competition.
