Atalanta coach Gasperini blasts Lookman after spot kick miss

Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini said his forward Ademola Lookman is “one of the worst penalty takers he has ever seen” after his miss from 12 yards out avoided a comeback in their home 3-1 loss to Club Brugge in the Champions League on Tuesday. 

Lookman scored one goal early in the second half after Brugge found the back of the net thrice to secure a 3-0 halftime lead, but then had a penalty saved by goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, as the Italian club was knocked out with 5-2 aggregate defeat. 

Gasperini lashed out at the Nigeria international for wasting a golden opportunity to make a comeback in the game. In his criticism, he also said that offensive midfielder Charles De Keterlaere or striker Mateo Retegui should have taken the penalty instead. 

"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 the 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."

Gasperini also lambasted Atalantaskipper Rafael Tolói, who was handed a straight red card for a shove on Maxim De Cuyper after a quarrel over a throw in.

"That was an ugly incident and we must never lose our heads," he said.

"Atalanta must leave the Champions League with dignity, having played great games against the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal and Barcelona."

Atalanta, third in the Serie A League standings, became the second Italian side to get knocked out of the Champions League, after AC MIlan, who drew 1-1 with Feyenoord. Feyenoord qualified 2-1 on aggregate.