Italian side Atalanta and Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman have been eliminated from the UEFA Champions League after a 5-2 aggregate defeat to Belgian side Brugge.
The Serie A team lost the second leg 3-1 in Bergamo, sealing their exit from the competition.
Club Brugge dominated the first half, racing into a 3-0 lead before the break.
Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini made a key half-time change, introducing Super Eagles forward Lookman in place of Mario Pasalic in a bid to spark a comeback.
The Nigeria international made an immediate impact, scoring just after coming on to give Atalanta a glimmer of hope.
However, that was as good as it got for Atalanta and their star man.
The team was awarded a penalty later in the match, but Lookman missed from the spot, with his decision to take on the responsibility drawing strong criticism from Gasperini.
Gasperini takes aim at Lookman, fans respond
The Atalanta manager did not hold back in his post-match comments, stating that Lookman was one of the worst penalty takers he had ever seen.
His remarks sparked debate among fans on social media, with many coming to the defence of the 27-year-old and condemning the coach’s harsh words.
Many felt Gasperini’s criticism was excessive, especially given Lookman’s overall impact since joining Atalanta, and stated that such issues should be dealt with internally.
Others suggested favouritism from the coach who showed support for Retegui who has also missed an important penalty for Atalanta.
A cross-section of fans and journalists on X also said, though they do not agree with Gasperini's choice of words, Lookman should not have taken the penalty since he is not the designated penalty taker in the team.
There were a few fans who used the opportunity to ask Lookman to join their club, insisting he is not being respected enough and should join Tottenham Hotspurs, the club they support.
As the football world continues to debate the issue, it is left to see if this affects Lookman's stay at the club, or he will seek to move away from Atalanta.
If the latter is the way, he surely will not be short of suitors.
