AFCON 2025
Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini has been heavily criticized by Nigerians after he openly attacked Ademola Lookman for missing a penalty against Club Brugge on Tuesday night.
Lookman came on in the second half, and scored 46 seconds after his introduction but missed a penalty shortly after, which could have brought La Dea closer to staging a comeback.
Gian Piero Gasperini in a post-match conference criticized Lookman as he labeled him the “worst” penalty taker he has ever seen.
Ademola Lookman is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen”. “He wanted to take the penalty after scoring a goal, he took the ball despite Retegui and De Keteleare available to take it… I didn’t like what Lookman did”.
Club Brugge won on aggregate 5-2 to progress into the second round of the competition.
Nigerian football fans in reaction to Gasperini’s comments have taken to X to express their displeasure.
Ojora Babatunde
When your coach that’s suppose to shield and protect you from external criticism starts criticising you openly, then something is wrong.
Hakeem Onitolo
I sincerely cannot believe he said cos wth?? This is such a wild thing to say about your best player just because of a penalty miss.
Ghanayesu
He should shut up! This is a guy that has been holding the team since last year, he’s the reason why you won the Europa league last season, He’s the reason why you’re 3rd in the league now. And you’re blaming him because he missed a penalty in a match you were losing already?
Tobi Writes
If he actually said this, it’s very disgraceful. It’s certain Lookman will leave in summer. You cannot do that to your best player in public. A player who won you MF the Europa league. He came in at half time and scored one minute later. Something Retegui and De Katelare
Don Jay Arsenal
Will this man say this if Lookman was white? Retegui missed a penalty against Arsenal that could have won them a match and make them avoid the play off why didn’t he say thesame thing to him?
Pythagoras
ot something he should have said in public but I can understand the frustration. As a coach you meticulously plan things like whose best equipped to take set pieces etc and when a player breaches that code it can feel like a betrayal of your influence on the team.
IkwerreBoy
The best players in the world misses penalty and this statement by a professional like Gasperini shows how he doesn’t like Ademola…Cause this statement isn’t nice at all..
Yemi Adesanya
If you are not the designated penalty taker and you venture to step forward, you had better score. Failure to score, you better be ready for whatever comes after
Ebitu
Gasperini’s comment is not only unnecessary but also disrespectful to a player who has been instrumental to Atalanta’s success. Ademola Lookman has delivered crucial goals and assists, carrying the team on multiple occasions. One missed penalty doesn’t erase his contributions.
Daniel Regha
Ademola Lookman mayn’t be one of the best PK takers at the moment, but a coach shouldn’t be tearing down his own player like this; It often leads to resentment & this can affect the player’s impact in games. Gasperini of all people should’ve known better. This is pathet’c.
