Atalanta Coach Criticizes Ademola Lookman After Champions League Elimination

Gian Piero Gasperini blamed Lookman for missing a penalty, calling him one of the worst penalty takers he has seen, following Atalanta's loss to Club Bruges.

Atalanta Bergame was eliminated from the Champions League after a 3-1 loss to Club Bruges, resulting in a 5-2 aggregate defeat in the knockout playoffs.
Ademola Lookman, who scored earlier in the match, missed a penalty that could have narrowed the deficit, leading to sharp criticism from his coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
Gasperini labeled Lookman as 'one of the worst penalty takers' he has coached, stating that the Nigerian forward should not have taken the penalty.
Lookman defended his decision to take the penalty, explaining that he stepped up after the designated taker declined, and expressed feeling hurt by the public criticism.
Atalanta, currently third in Serie A, will now focus solely on domestic competition to salvage their season, with their next match against Empoli on February 23.