Atalanta manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, has claimed Ademola Lookman is “one of the worst penalty takers he has ever seen”.
Gasperini was left fuming after Lookman’s miss from the spot halted a comeback in their home 3-1 defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Lookman pulled back one goal early in the second half after Brugge took a 3-0 halftime lead, but then had a penalty saved by goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, as the Serie A side were knocked out with a 5-2 aggregate defeat.
Gasperini singled out the Nigeria international for criticism, adding offensive midfielder Charles De Ketelaere 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 told a 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.”
“Lookman one of the worst penalty takers I’ve seen” – Atalanta boss fumes after UCL exit
