In a recent Champions League play-off match(18 February 2025), Atalanta faced a 3-1 home defeat against Club Brugge, resulting in a 5-2 aggregate elimination. During the game, forward Ademola Lookman, who had entered as a halftime substitute and promptly scored, missed a crucial penalty that could have narrowed the deficit. Post-match, Atalanta's manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, publicly criticized Lookman's penalty-taking abilities, labeling him "one of the worst penalty takers I've ever seen." 

Gasperini expressed his displeasure, stating that Lookman was not designated to take the penalty and highlighted his poor record in training sessions. He emphasized that other players, such as Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere, were more suitable choices for the spot-kick.

In response, Lookman took to social media to express his disappointment, describing the comments as "deeply disrespectful." He clarified that he took the penalty upon instruction from the designated taker and emphasized his commitment to the team. Lookman also highlighted his previous contributions, including being named Atalanta's Player of the Season and playing a pivotal role in their Europa League triumph. 

Subsequently, Gasperini addressed the situation, stating that his remarks were not intended to offend Lookman. He acknowledged the player's potential for improvement in penalty situations and compared the incident to a similar situation involving another player, suggesting his intentions were to motivate rather than criticize. 

Despite the public exchange, Lookman demonstrated resilience in Atalanta's following Serie A match against Empoli, where he delivered an outstanding performance by scoring a hat-trick in a 5-0 victory. 

On February 23, 2025, Atalanta secured a dominant 5-0 victory over Empoli, with Ademola Lookman delivering a standout performance. Lookman scored twice, showcasing his attacking prowess and contributing significantly to the team's success. Other notable moments included an own goal by Emmanuel Gyasi, a goal from Mateo Retegui, and a final strike by Davide Zappacosta. 

This series of events underscores the complexities of player-coach dynamics and highlights how public criticism can impact team morale and individual performances.