UCL: Lookman Misses Penalty as Brugge Eliminate Atalanta

Ademola Lookman had a bittersweet return from injury in Atalanta’s Champions League play-off against Club Brugge. The Nigerian forward made an instant impact, scoring within 42 seconds of coming on in the second half. However, his missed penalty proved costly as Atalanta crashed out of the competition.

Gasperini’s Blistering Criticism

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini did not hold back in his post-match press conference, openly criticizing Lookman for taking the penalty.

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

He further revealed that the designated takers, Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere, were available, but Lookman, riding on the momentum of his goal, took it upon himself to take the shot. His weak, central effort was easily saved by Simon Mignolet, draining the team’s morale and ending hopes of a comeback.

Atalanta’s Penalty Woes

Lookman’s miss is just the latest in a season riddled with Atalanta’s struggles from the spot. The club has had a poor penalty conversion rate across all competitions:

• Mateo Retegui missed against Arsenal and Torino in games that ended 0-0.
• Mario Pasalic also failed to convert against Torino in a 2-1 defeat.
• Lookman’s latest miss against Brugge further highlighted the team’s penalty issues.
• Only Retegui (2 out of 4) and De Ketelaere have successfully converted penalties this season.

Lookman’s History of Penalty Controversies

This isn’t the first time Lookman has drawn criticism for his penalty-taking decisions. His infamous Panenka attempt for Fulham against West Ham in November 2020 was widely ridiculed and remains one of the most talked-about penalty misses in recent memory.

Gasperini’s Frustration with Rafael Toloi

Lookman wasn’t the only Atalanta player to draw Gasperini’s ire. Captain Rafael Toloi saw red late in the game after aggressively chasing down Maxim de Cuyper, needing officials to hold him back from a physical altercation.

Gasperini condemned the incident, saying:

“That was an ugly incident. Atalanta must leave the Champions League with dignity, having played great games against the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Barcelona.”

What’s Next for Atalanta?

Despite their Champions League exit, Atalanta still have plenty to play for. They remain in contention for a top-four finish in Serie A, which would secure a spot in next season’s Champions League.

While unexpected penalty takers stepping up is common in football, a manager calling out his player as “one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen” is rare. Lookman, who was instrumental in Atalanta’s Europa League triumph less than a year ago, now finds himself at a crossroads with the club.

The road ahead remains uncertain, but one thing is clear—Atalanta is no longer satisfied with simply competing in European tournaments; they expect to win.