Penalty arguments proliferate this season after Lucca punishment | OneFootball

Lorenzo Lucca was hauled off the field by Udinese coach Kosta Runjaic in what was only the latest in a series of ugly public rows over who should take a penalty this season.

The incident overshadowed Udinese’s 1-0 victory away to Lecce in last night’s Serie A Week 26 opener.

It proved pivotal, because Lucca did convert to seal the victory for his team, but he argued with several teammates before finally being allowed to take the spot-kick.

This refusal to stick to the agreed order of penalty-takers infuriated coach Runjaic, who sent a message by taking Lucca off before half-time.

Even his teammates were fuming, as they refused to celebrate with him.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport point out, this is only the latest situation where players have disobeyed team orders on penalties this season.

Penalty rows spread like wildfire

epa11906162 Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman reacts after failing to score from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs 2nd leg match between Atalanta BC and Club Brugge KV at the Bergamo Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, 18 February 2025. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

It comes just days after Ademola Lookman did the same during Atalanta’s Champions League play-off defeat to Club Brugge, but in that case his effort was saved.

This prompted coach Gian Piero Gasperini to declare Lookman was “one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” highlighting why he should not have put himself above the team.

In Serie A, Albert Gudmundsson wanted to make his mark during his debut for Fiorentina, earning and converting a penalty in the 2-1 win over Lazio in September 2024.

When the Viola received another spot-kick, Moise Kean wanted the opportunity to step up, but Gudmundsson stuck to his guns, safe also in the knowledge he had been given the role by the coach.

The Stadio Franchi was also the scene of more controversy in October 2024, when Milan managed to miss two penalties taken by Theo Hernandez and Tammy Abraham.

Coach Paulo Fonseca later revealed neither of them were supposed to be there, as Christian Pulisic was the designated taker in a 2-1 defeat.