- Atalanta crashed out of the UEFA Champions League with a 3-1 loss to Club Brugge, with Ademola Lookman missing a crucial penalty
- Manager Gian Piero Gasperini publicly criticised Lookman, calling him "one of the worst penalty takers" he had seen
- Nicol stated that De Ketelaere, the assigned penalty taker, should have stepped up and questioned why the captain failed to enforce the decision
Atalanta’s UEFA Champions League journey came to a disappointing end after a 3-1 defeat to Club Brugge, but the biggest talking point was not just the result, it was Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman’s controversial penalty miss.
The incident has sparked debates among fans and pundits alike, with Liverpool legend Steve Nicol weighing in on the matter ahead of Atalanta’s upcoming Serie A fixture against Empoli on Sunday, February 23.
Rather than blaming Lookman, Nicol redirected the criticism towards the designated penalty taker, team captain Rafael Tolói, and manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
The former Liverpool defender argued that Lookman was unfairly scapegoated in the aftermath of the defeat and that the real failure lay in leadership and decision-making within the squad.
Gasperini's harsh words for Lookman
Ademola Lookman had initially given Atalanta hope in the match, scoring shortly after halftime to reduce the deficit. However, in the 61st minute, a crucial penalty opportunity arose, and Lookman stepped up only to miss. The failed spot-kick became a turning point in the match, and Atalanta never recovered.
In the post-match interview, Gasperini did not hold back, publicly criticising Lookman and expressing frustration that he took the penalty instead of the designated taker, Charles De Ketelaere.
His words were scathing, as he reportedly labeled Lookman "one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen." The remarks sparked outrage among fans and football analysts, many of whom felt the criticism was unnecessary and misdirected.
Nicol defends Lookman, calls out poor leadership
Speaking in an interview recently, Nicol defended Ademola Lookman, insisting that the blame should be placed on those responsible for ensuring the right player took the penalty,
"There’s no need for what Gasperini said. All he had to say was that Lookman wasn’t supposed to take it, and that would’ve been enough," Nicol stated.
He went further, questioning why De Ketelaere, the designated taker, did not step up,
"If I’m the coach, the first thing I ask is, ‘Why are you not taking the penalty? You’re supposed to take it,’" he added.
Nicol also emphasised the role of captain Tolói in managing such moments on the pitch. He pointed out that a captain must enforce the manager’s instructions, ensuring that the right player assumes responsibility for critical moments,
"The second person to answer is the captain. He’s the one who should ensure that the right decisions are made when the coach can’t intervene directly," he said.
Nicol ultimately absolved Lookman of any fault, arguing that the Nigerian forward merely reacted to a chaotic situation on the pitch,
"Quite honestly, the only person who is innocent in all of this is Lookman, If the designated taker refuses to step up, someone has to take it, and Lookman did."
Nicol further criticised Gasperini, questioning why he did not take immediate action from the sidelines to resolve the situation before the penalty was taken.
"I didn’t watch the game, but Gasperini had enough time to make sure the right guy was taking that penalty. That’s on him, not Lookman," he concluded.
As the club regroups from their Champions League disappointment, attention now shifts to their upcoming Serie A clash with Empoli.
As Lookman and his teammates prepare for their next match, the debate surrounding that missed penalty will serve as an important lesson in leadership, responsibility, and communication on the pitch.
Lookman’s strike not enough as Real Madrid edges Atalanta, Ancelotti praises team
Previously, TheRadar reported that Spanish giants Real Madrid reignited their UEFA Champions League campaign hopes with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta, overcoming an early injury to star forward Kylian Mbappé.
Lookman’s creativity nearly earned Atalanta a dramatic equaliser in injury time, but substitute Mateo Retegui squandered the golden opportunity, blasting over from six yards out.
