Ademola Lookman hits back at Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini after ‘worst penalty taker’ rant

Ademola Lookman hits back at Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini after ‘worst penalty taker’ rant after Atalanta’s defeat to Club Brugge.

Gasperini said Ademola Lookman took “one of the worst penalty takers I have ever seen” after his miss from the spot in their 3-1 loss to Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League.

Lookman had put the Serie A club back into the game with a goal at the outset of the second half, however, then saw had a spot kick saved by Simon Mignolet and Atalanta couldn’t find that momentum to get back at them.

Brugge 5-2 win on aggregate to shock the Europa League champions, with Gasperini aiming his anger at the Nigeria international, claiming that that either Charles De Ketelaere or Mateo Retegui should have taken the penalty.

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

“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.”

Atalanta captain Rafael Toloi was also shown a red card for an unnecessary shove on Maxim De Cuyper who interfered with Toloi taking a throw-in and the 34-year-old attempted to throw the ball at the Belgian but slipped, leading him to charge at the 24-year-old in anger.

“That was an ugly incident and we must never lose our heads,” Gasperini added.

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

Simon Mignolet denies Ademola Lookman from the spot 😨

Club Brugge preserve their three-goal aggregate lead!

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/5K96cTq7df

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

Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini says Ademola Lookman is the ‘worst penalty taker he’s ever seen.’ 😳 pic.twitter.com/1p2NZnMdIV

— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) February 19, 2025

Lookman said via social media: “It saddens me on a day like this to have to write this statement – most of all because of what we have achieved together as a team and as a city.

“Being singled out in the manner I have been not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful, not least because of the immense hard work and commitment I have always put in each and every day to help bring success to this club and to the incredible fans of Bergamo.

“In truth, I have dealt with many difficult moments during my time here – the majority of which I have never spoken about because in my opinion the team must always be protected and must come first. This makes what happened last night even more hurtful.

“Along with our incredible fans, we as a team are hurting too with last night’s result. During the match the designated penalty taker instructed me to take the penalty; and to support the team I took responsibility in the moment to do so.

“Life’s about challenges and turning pain into power which I’ll continue to do.”

🚨 Ademola Lookman’s statement after penalty miss and Gian Piero Gasperini’s strong words.

“It saddens me on a day like this to have to write this statement – most of all because of what we have achieved together as a team and as a city.

Being singled out in the manner I have… pic.twitter.com/dKgk9oyOWR

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 19, 2025

This is how fans reacted as Ademola Lookman hits back at Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini after his ‘worst penalty taker’ rant…

@DrAlexOliver: Trying to tread carefully here – as I don’t know all the ins and outs of the case beyond what has been reported – but Lookman’s comments are concerning. If we aren’t looking after the *person* first and foremost then we’re failing.

@A_GymGuy: The lookman penalty and his manager throwing him under a bus is never a good thing for me. Some people love it but all it does is show the manager for the weak leader he is. In any workplace when you start to publically single someone out for mistakes then you’re shit at your job

@Lukelfc86: Absolutely this. Even if the player has been a dick and gone against instructions you would deal with it behind closed doors.

@pythaginboots: Lookman has responded… This is why Giasperini should have done this behind closed doors. If what Lookman is saying is true, there is no issue and should have been clarified in the dressing room. Now you have a public rift. Expect Lookman to be targeted for big transfer…

@Emzyl_: How can you even blame one penalty miss for getting eliminated when you were 5-2 down on agg?? Anyone can miss a spot kick. Signalling out the only guy that gave you a chance in the first place is criminal

@keithcropper1: Really poor from Gasperini. Just needlessly throwing a player under the bus when the performance from the whole team wasn’t good enough especially in the first half

@AtalantaBC_News: I was also disappointed with the comments made last night. You didn’t deserve that. Thanks for the continued hard work for the shirt, and keep your head high, you have been phenomenal for Atalanta.

@ricldnbeersomm: These were not strong words from Gasperini. They were the words of an inept coach-one who was outcoached by his Belgian counterpart, who doesn´t control who his pen taker, and has a problem with Lookman. Yes, Ade missed the pen, but Gasperini lost the tie. But that´s Serie A, eh?

@MirrorDarren: Glad @Alookman_ decided to defend himself. Scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final to get Atalanta into the Champions League in the first place. Scored within 34 seconds of coming on last night when Atalanta were 3-0 down at half time. To nail him by name and none of the defenders – or attackers for their poor finishing – was poor from Gasperini. Lookman is right. It smacks of disrespect. The days of footballers having to sit back and take being trashed unjustifiably by managers who want to use them as scapegoats are over. Totally here for him speaking up for himself. If they don’t appreciate his talents, there are plenty of clubs that would.

@reallycerys: Think Lookman is well within his rights to be aggrieved here. Yes it was a bad penalty, yes a missed penalty is always a what-if moment, but he can hardly be blamed for a loss when he came on at 5-1 (agg) down. Feels significant for his future at the club

@JohnBennettBBC: Gasperini has done an amazing job at Atalanta… But those post-match comments feel like a huge error. Lookman’s been brilliant for him. What an awful night for the club all round. The UCL draw had – on paper – worked in their favour so it’s a massive missed opportunity.