Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman has taken a swipe at coach Gian Piero Gasperini after the Atalanta head coach branded the forward ‘one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen’ following the club’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.
Atalanta needed to overturn a 2-1 defeat to Club Brugge in the second leg of their UCL play-off but lost 3-1 at home to the Belgian side.
Atalanta were eventually booted out by Brugge 5-2 on aggregate despite Lookman’s effort including scoring a goal immediately after he came on as a substitute but later missed a spot kick.
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Gasperini then singled out Lookman for criticism over his decision to take the penalty.
“Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty, he is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” said Gasperini. “He has a frankly terrible record even in training, he converts very few of them. Retegui and De Ketelaere were there but Lookman in a moment of enthusiasm after scoring decided to take the ball and that was a gesture I did not appreciate at all.”
Reacting on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Lookman took exemption to such unfair criticism as he called Gasperini ‘deeply disrespectful’.
“It saddens me on a day like this to have to write this statement – most of all because of what we have achieved together as a team and as a city,’ Lookman said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Being singled out in the manner I have been not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful, not least because of the immense hard work and commitment I have always put in each and every day to help bring success to this club and to the incredible fans of Bergamo.
“In truth, I have dealt with many difficult moments during my time here – the majority of which I have never spoken about because in my opinion the team must always be protected and must come first. This makes what happened last night even more hurtful.
“Along with our incredible fans, we as a team are hurting too with last night’s result. During the match the designated penalty taker instructed me to take the penalty; and to support the team I took responsibility in the moment to do so.
“Life’s about challenges and turning pain into power which I’ll continue to do,” he added.