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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Lookman missed from the spot against Brugge</li><li>Gasperini openly criticised the striker's penalty skills</li><li>Manager says comments were not meant to offend</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini hints he's ready to QUIT after furious backlash from 'one of the worst penalty takers' dig at Ademola Lookman

First Division A

Club Bruges

Standard Liege

Serie A

Empoli

Atalanta

<p>The penalty incident occurred during <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/atalanta-out-champions-league-simon-mignolet-saves-ademola-lookman-penalty-club-brugge/bltb3e8fc51e303055e" target="_blank">Atalanta’s 3-1 second-leg Champions League play-off</a> defeat to Club Brugge. Lookman, who had just pulled a goal back for his team after coming on as a second-half substitute, had the opportunity to further close the gap from 12 yards but his effort was denied by former Liverpool and Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, extinguishing any hopes of a dramatic comeback.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>In his post-match comments, Gasperini did not hold back in his criticism of the Nigerian international, making it clear that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/ademola-lookman-blasted-one-of-worst-penalty-takers-i-ve-ever-seen-by-atalanta-boss-gian-piero-gasperini-shock-champions-league-exit/blt07df371d61739245" target="_blank">Lookman had no business taking the crucial spot-kick.</a></p><p>"Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty, he is one of the worst penalty takers I've ever seen," the Italian manager told reporters.</p><p>"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."</p><p>Following Gasperini’s remarks, Lookman took to Instagram to express his disappointment, describing the criticism as <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/deeply-disrespectful-ademola-lookman-fires-back-gian-piero-gasperini-worst-penalty-taker-criticism-atalanta-champions-league-exit-club-brugge/blte8cb8a8d1d21d00e#cs1a938104465b8bd3" target="_blank">both "deeply disrespectful" and personally hurtful.</a> His response resonated with fans and pundits alike, many of whom questioned why the manager chose to publicly attack his player instead of addressing the issue internally.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>As the controversy continued to dominate headlines, Gasperini addressed the situation in a press conference on Saturday. While he acknowledged the impact of his words, he insisted that his intention was not to insult Lookman.</p><p>"It had an extraordinary impact, everything that came afterwards... mine was not meant to be an offensive sentence," Gasperini said.</p><p>"Yesterday in Udinese-Lecce we had what could have been a drama, luckily there were guys who let it go. I would have liked a strong player like Lookman to have made a gesture towards [Charles] De Ketelaere saying: 'Come on keep the ball, put it in'.</p><p>"He can become a penalty taker, that would be an additional goal-scoring ability... I always speak in front of the whole team, it has never touched the club. He felt offended, I didn't want to offend anyone."</p>

WHAT GASPERINI SAID

<p>Amid his efforts to downplay the controversy, Gasperini has been busy preparing his troops for a crucial match against Empoli on Sunday. They remain in contention for the Serie A title, sitting third in the league table, just five points behind leaders Napoli and another victory over the weekend will be a major boost to keep their championship ambitions alive. </p>

WHAT NEXT FOR ATALANTA?

Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini hints he's ready to QUIT after furious backlash from 'one of the worst penalty takers' dig at Ademola Lookman | Goal.com

Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini suggested he&apos;s ready to quit after receiving furious backlash for &quot;worst penalty taker&quot; dig at Ademola Lookman.

Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini hints he&apos;s ready to QUIT after furious backlash from &apos;one of the worst penalty takers&apos; dig at Ademola Lookman

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