Sports

Worst Penalty Taker Comment: Okocha Blasts Gasperini Criticism of Lookman

Published

1 month ago

Feb 24, 2025.

Dennis

Okocha defends Lookman after Atalanta coach Gasperini blames him for Champions League exit.
Gasperini brands Lookman “one of the worst penalty takers” despite his goal in the match.
Okocha criticizes Gasperini’s approach, calling his remarks unfair and overly harsh.

Former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has defended Ademola Lookman amid the Nigerian forward’s public fallout with Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini.

The rift between Lookman and Gasperini intensified following Atalanta’s shocking Champions League exit against Club Brugge, where the Italian coach blamed Lookman’s missed penalty as a decisive factor in their elimination.

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Despite Lookman scoring just 30 seconds into the second half, his failure to convert from the spot proved costly, with Atalanta bowing out on a 5-2 aggregate.

Instead of acknowledging the team’s collective shortcomings, Gasperini publicly criticized Lookman, labeling him “one of the worst penalty takers” he had ever seen.

Okocha strongly condemned the manager’s remarks, insisting Gasperini’s approach was unfair and overly harsh.

“I think Gasperini overreacted by calling Lookman the worst penalty taker,” Okocha said as per Mozzart Sport.

“He seems to have forgotten the incredible contributions Lookman has made to Atalanta. Many top players have missed crucial penalties without facing such harsh criticism, so why is Lookman’s case being treated differently? In my opinion, if you take Lookman out of Atalanta, the club could struggle and even risk relegation.”