Atalanta's head coach Gian Piero Gasperini did not hold back in his criticism of Ademola Lookman after the team's disappointing exit from the UEFA Champions League against Club Brugge. Following a missed penalty that could have altered the match's course, Gasperini labeled Lookman as "one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen." The context of this statement came after Lookman, who had just scored a goal, stepped up to take a crucial penalty that was parried by Brugge's goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, effectively dashing Atalanta's hopes of a comeback.

The match had already been challenging for Atalanta, as they were trailing 3-1 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate when Juan Cuadrado was fouled in the box. Gasperini lamented Lookman’s decision to take the penalty, emphasizing that the player was not the designated penalty taker and had a poor record in training sessions. Instead, Gasperini pointed out that Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere were present and could have taken the shot with better chances of success.

This incident is just the latest in a series of penalty mishaps for Atalanta this season, with multiple players failing to convert crucial spot-kicks. Gasperini's frustration was palpable, especially after captain Rafael Toloi also received a red card in the latter stages of the match, further compounding the team's problems. The coach urged his players to maintain composure, stating that it was vital for Atalanta to leave the Champions League with dignity after competing against some of Europe's top clubs. The overall sentiment reflected how critical these moments can be in high-stakes matches and the importance of making the right decisions on the pitch.