Ademola Lookman has hit back at Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini after the coach publicly criticized him for missing a crucial penalty during their Champions League play-off loss to Club Brugge.
Lookman described Gasperini’s remarks as “deeply disrespectful” and expressed disappointment at being singled out following the club’s European exit.
Atalanta entered the second leg needing to overturn a 2-1 deficit but fell short, losing 3-1 at home. Lookman briefly gave his team hope by scoring early in the second half, but his missed penalty proved costly as Club Brugge capitalized to seal their victory.
After the match, Gasperini did not hold back in his assessment, claiming Lookman had no business taking the spot-kick. “Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty.
He’s one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” Gasperini said, adding that Lookman had a poor record in training and should have left the responsibility to Matteo Retegui or Charles De Ketelaere.
Lookman responded with a statement on Wednesday, expressing his disappointment with his manager’s reaction. “It saddens me to have to make this statement, especially after everything we’ve achieved as a team and as a city,” he wrote. “Being singled out in this way hurts and feels deeply disrespectful. I have always worked hard to bring success to this club and its incredible fans.”
The Nigerian international also revealed that he was not originally supposed to take the penalty but did so after receiving instructions from the designated taker. “During the match, the designated penalty taker told me to take it. I stepped up to support my team in that moment,” he explained.
Despite the controversy, Lookman vowed to push forward. “Life is about challenges and turning pain into power, which I will continue to do,” he concluded.
Atalanta now shifts its focus back to domestic competition as they aim to bounce back from their disappointing European exit.