Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini has slammed Ademola Lookman for missing a crucial penalty in the team’s 3-1 loss to Club Brugge in the second leg of their Champions League playoff......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>
The Italian manager described Lookman as one of the worst penalty-takers he has seen in football following the heartbreaking miss.
Lookman came off the bench in the second half to reduce the deficit for Atalanta after Club Brugge raced to a 3-0 lead in the first half at Gewiss Stadium in Italy.
The Super Eagles star pulled one back 34 seconds after his introduction with a low strike to make it 3-1.
A few minutes later, Juan Cuadrado was fouled in the box with a penalty given after a long VAR check.
Lookman stepped up to take the penalty but former Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet saved his effort.
Despite not being the preferred taker, Giasperini expressed his disappointment at Lookman’s decision to take the penalty kick.
He said, “Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty; he is one of the worst penalty-takers I’ve ever seen.
“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.
“He wanted to take the penalty after scoring a goal. He took the ball despite Retegui and De Keteleare being available to take it… I didn’t like what Lookman did.”
Giasperini also criticised Atalanta captain Rafael Tolói, who was shown a straight red card for a shove on Maxim De Cuyper after an argument over a throw-in.
He said, “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.”
Club Brugge held on to record a 3-1 victory, which earned them a 5-2 aggregate score to advance to the Champions League round of 16 at the expense of Lookman’s Atalanta.
Lookman has scored 15 goals and recorded six assists in all competitions for Atalanta this season.