Coach Slams Striker’s Decision to Take Spot-Kick, Calls for Dignity After Brugge Defeat
Atalanta’s hopes of a Champions League comeback were dashed on Tuesday as they fell 3-1 to Club Brugge at home, sealing a 5-2 aggregate defeat. The Serie A side’s exit was compounded by a controversial penalty miss from striker Ademola Lookman, which drew sharp criticism from manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who labeled the Nigerian as “one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen.”
The match took a turn for the worse early on as Brugge stormed to a 3-0 lead by halftime. Lookman briefly reignited hope for Atalanta with a goal early in the second half, but his missed penalty, saved by Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, effectively ended any chance of a revival. Gasperini did not hold back in his post-match comments, expressing frustration that Lookman had taken the spot-kick over more reliable options like Charles De Ketelaere or Mateo Retegui.
“Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty. He has a frankly terrible record, even in training—he converts very few of them,” Gasperini told reporters. “Retegui and De Ketelaere were there, 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 captain Rafael Tolói, who was sent off with a straight red card after shoving Maxim De Cuyper during a heated argument 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 team to exit the competition this week, following AC Milan’s elimination by Feyenoord. While the defeat marks the end of their European campaign, Gasperini emphasized the need for his team to reflect and move forward with pride.
For Lookman, however, the night will be remembered for all the wrong reasons, as his penalty miss not only cost his team but also earned him a rare public rebuke from his manager.
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