Atalanta of Italy’s loss to Belgium’s Club Brugge in the return leg of the knockout phase play-offs in the UEFA Champions League shot the club out of the soccer tournament, forcing Coach Gian Piero Gasperini to chastise Ademola Lookman even after the celebrated striker scored on the night before losing a penalty as Atalanta struggled to return from the crushing depth of a home loss. In the aftermath of the disastrous 1-3 defeat, Gasperini denounced Lookman’s penalty miss, highlighting the Nigerian forward as the face of the team’s collective failure against the backdrop of the impressive run of form he has shown for the Italian side since joining them in August 2022.
Gasperini contended that Ademola Lookman should not have taken the crucial penalty kick because he is a poor executor. “Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty, he is one of the worst penalty takers I have ever seen,” he said, adding that he possesses “a frankly terrible record, even in training.” The coach’s remarks were heavy-handed, a needless dishonor to one of the most surgical strikers in today’s soccer, a lethal forward for club and country. Furthermore, the aggrieved manager said that the team had capabilities in Mateo Retegui and Charles Marc De Ketelaere, but Lookman overestimated himself “in a moment of enthusiasm after scoring” and “decided to take the ball.”
Understandably, Lookman, the 2024 CAF African Soccer Player of the Year, took umbrage at the manager’s unsavory remarks, contending that “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 reconsideration of the circumstances of exit from the Champions League, Gasperini shouldn’t have tacitly attributed the club’s defeat to his preeminent striker. This must not be tolerated. He can do better next time. During difficult moments, Lookman deserves words of encouragement from the coach and fans, not rebuke. It is not tough to see that Lookman has earned the shining stars on his shirt, the bold stripes on his shoulders, and the colorful feathers in his cap. He is a potent forward who has shown his worth and immaculate class repeatedly, notching his bow on some of soccer’s biggest stages. Notably, in May 2024 during the final of the Europa League, Ademola Lookman scored all three goals as Atalanta won their first ever European soccer title at Ireland’s Aviva stadium, a remarkable feat that etched his name in gold at the club.
A player of Lookman’s significance and substance deserves the attention accorded to royals because he is truly part of African and world soccer monarchs. Atalanta must be careful not to deflate Lookman’s pride and passion for the game, the club, and the Italian city he calls home. He is a tender asset that must be protected with purpose. People of goodwill must call out Gasperini’s extremely bad behavior and revolting comments. A coach should never wear out his player’s self-esteem with negative public reviews. He must be sensitive to his errors, realizing that he also has the interest of the club at heart.
Needless to say that Lookman loves Atalanta in just about the same way as any other fan values the club, their enduring passion sustained by both high and low moments. Coach Gasperini had the chance to pull a draw in the first leg of the decisive Champions League tie. That was the least he could do. But he got his tactics wrong and failed to claim the turf when it mattered most. Likewise, after losing by 1-2 in Belgium, his players squandered their chances, leaving the return leg in their opponent’s hands. Straightaway, Gasperini must stop castigating his players publicly. It will not end well for him and the team’s global image.
Coach Gasperini’s troubling statement hands his critics the big stick, with some blaming him squarely for his team’s exit from the competition while others question his competence as a professional manager of men and world-class talents. It will not be tough for many analysts to single out Gasperini should Lookman lose his love for the team and commitment to taking penalty kicks during Atalanta’s come-to-Jesus moments.
In a manner of speaking, Gasperini ought to be aware that the ball is only at Lookman’s feet, but the buck stops at the manager’s table. Now is the time for him to forget his crushing experience of defeat and bury his acid temper and tone towards Lookman. As a professional coach, Gasperini should count his losses, celebrate his modest wins in the UEFA Champions League, and move on. There is life after exiting a competition.
On his part, Ademola Lookman has put up an excellent rejoinder, clarifying that he didn’t jump the gun as his coach claims, insisting that “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.”
Ademola Lookman’s sterling career in professional soccer has been characterized by resilience, redemption, and success. Regardless of Gasperini’s attack on Lookman, the Nigerian forward remains an unsentimental personality who is capable of rising from the humiliating ashes of defeat to the pinnacle of success.
Despite the menacing memory of misses and humiliations, Lookman’s trajectory over the past three years has been a firm testament to his grit and consistent pursuit of triumph, his career marked by notable awards for club and country. Lookman remains undeterred by snide remarks, the player emphasizing the point that “life’s about challenges and turning pain into power which I’ll continue to do.”
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