Gasperini: ‘Lookman 1 of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen’

BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 18: Simon Mignolet of Club Brugge KV dives as Ademola Lookman of Atalanta shoots and misses from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between Atalanta BC and Club Brugge KV at Gewiss Stadium on February 18, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini surprisingly blasted Ademola Lookman for stepping up in the Champions League play-off against Club Brugge when he is ‘one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen.’

The moment could’ve changed the entire flow of the play-off with La Dea 3-1 down on the night, 5-2 on aggregate, as Juan Cuadrado was brought down from behind.

Substitute Lookman took the ball and saw his central effort parried by Simon Mignolet, sapping enthusiasm from the squad and effectively ending their hopes of a comeback.

In his press conference after the match, Gasperini made a remarkable revelation and pointed the finger squarely at the Nigeria international.

Simon Mignolet denies Ademola Lookman from the spot

Club Brugge preserve their three-goal aggregate lead!

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“Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty, he is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” said Gasperini.

“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.”

This is not the first time Lookman has infuriated a coach with his penalty antics, as his terrible Panenka attempt for Fulham against West Ham United in November 2020 went down in history.

Lookman latest penalty flop for Atalanta

It is hardly the first time that penalties have been costly for Atalanta, because they have a shocking record from the spot this season.

Mateo Retegui failed to convert against both Arsenal and Torino, games that ended 0-0 in the Champions League and Serie A.

Mario Pasalic also got it wrong with Torino in a 2-1 defeat, while Lookman saw his saved by Simon Mignolet tonight against Club Brugge.

The only players who have successfully converted penalties this season are Retegui – two out of four – and Charles De Ketelaere.

Meanwhile, Gasperini also hit out at captain Rafael Toloi after he saw red in the final minutes for chasing down Maxim de Cuyper, even held back by officials from physically attacking him.

“That was an ugly incident and we must never lose our heads. Atalanta must leave the Champions League with dignity, having played great games against the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal and Barcelona.”

Atalanta captain Rafael Tolói completely loses his head and receives a red card as a consequence

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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 18, 2025