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Club Brugge's goalkeeper Simon Mignolet reveals shocking Ademola Lookman strategy that secured Champions League round of 16 glory against Italian club Atalanta.
In a stunning revelation following Atalanta's elimination from the UEFA Champions League, Club Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has shed light on the critical miscalculation by Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman that ultimately dashed the Italian club's hopes of advancing to the round of 16.
Mignolet's decisive moment came in the 61st minute when he saved Lookman's penalty, maintaining Brugge's aggregate lead at 5-2 on Tuesday night.
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07:41 - 19.02.2025
Lookman makes Champions League history with 35-second goal as 'first Nigerian' despite Atalanta heartbreak
Ademola Lookman returned to action for Atalanta to make Champions League history despite the club's shock exit against Club Brugge.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Soccer News in Nigeria from Pulse Sports
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22:12 - 15.02.2025
‘It's become harder’ — Atalanta boss laments absence of Lookman, other forwards
Ademola Lookman's absence has severely impacted Atalanta's form
Lookman had initially made an impact by scoring just 35 seconds after coming off the bench at halftime, but his failure to convert the penalty proved critical.
With Atalanta trailing 5-1 on aggregate and desperate for a comeback, Lookman took the responsibility for the spot-kick despite coach Gian Piero Gasperini's clear preference for teammates Mateo Retegui or Charles De Ketelaere to take it.
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Reflecting on the circumstances surrounding the penalty, former Liverpool goalkeeper Mignolet stated:
"They scored very early in the second half and might have changed the game, then came that penalty situation. I spoke with our goalie coach as we didn't expect Lookman to take it, as he had been injured for a while.”
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“Luckily, I chose the right side and saved it,” he added per UEFA.com. “After that, we defended very well as a team and earned a deserved victory."
Meanwhile, after the match, Lookman’s coach at Atalanta Gasperini did not hold back in his criticism of Lookman. He remarked:
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"Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty; he is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen. I did not appreciate at all."
The Italian manager further emphasised how Lookman's miss affected his team's momentum in the heartbreaking loss.
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"The missed penalty then dampened our enthusiasm. From a sporting point of view, we were good and we kept up the pace. But they had fast strikers, and that doesn't depend on our fitness."
Atalanta's exit marks another setback for Italian clubs in this season's tournament, following AC Milan's earlier elimination by Feyenoord.
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Meanwhile, Club Brugge continue its impressive run under coach Nicky Hayen, advancing to face either Inter Milan or Arsenal in the next round.
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