"One of the worst penalty takers": Atalanta coach criticized the hero of the 2024 Europa League final

After being eliminated from the Champions League, Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini criticized one of the team's most decorated players – Ademola Lookman, who became the hero of last year's Europa League final, was targeted. This is reported by  UNN with reference to  Der Spiegel.

Details

Atalanta Bergamo was eliminated from the Champions League after a match with Club Brugge  (1:3) in the playoffs on Tuesday, February 18.

Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini criticized forward Ademola Lookman for a missed penalty, which, according to the coach, the Nigerian national team midfielder should never have taken.  

He wanted to shoot because he had already scored a goal. He took the ball, although Retegui and De Jesus scored. He took the ball, although Retegui and De Ketelaere were available. Even in training, he has pathetic results. I don't like what Lookman did

For reference

Despite the fact that Atalanta from Bergamo was the favorite in the Champions League playoff match against Club Brugge, on Tuesday, February 18, the Italian football club was eliminated from the tournament, losing with a score of 1:3. The failure, after a 2:1 defeat in the first leg, occurred when Simon Mignolet,  a Belgian footballer, goalkeeper of the Belgian national team and Club Brugge, saved Ademola Lookman's penalty at 1:3.

Lookman's reaction

Lookman, who was born in England and plays for the Nigerian national team, reacted angrily to his coach's criticism.

To single him out in this way is not only hurtful, but also deeply disrespectful. Not least because of the tremendous hard work and dedication I put in every day to help this club and the incredible fans of Bergamo succeed

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