Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has spoken out for the first time since facing intense criticism following his penalty miss during the club’s UEFA Champions League play-off defeat to Club Brugge on Tuesday night.
The Nigerian international came on as a substitute in the second half and made an immediate impact by scoring a goal that reduced the deficit for Atalanta. However, in the 62nd minute, he stepped up to take a crucial penalty but failed to convert, a moment that ultimately contributed to Atalanta’s elimination from the competition.
After the match, Atalanta’s head coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, did not hold back in his criticism of Lookman, publicly blasting the player for taking the penalty. The Italian tactician claimed that Lookman was never designated to take the spot-kick and went as far as labeling him as “one of the worst penalty takers” he has ever seen.
“Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty; he is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” Gasperini stated after the game.
“He has a frankly terrible record even in training, converting 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,” he added.
Lookman has now responded to the backlash, expressing his disappointment at being publicly called out in such a harsh manner. The African Player of the Year described Gasperini’s comments as “deeply disrespectful,” emphasizing his commitment to the club and the hard work he puts in daily.
Taking to social media, Lookman wrote, “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.
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.”
Furthermore, Lookman clarified that he did not take the penalty on his own accord but was instructed to do so by the actual designated penalty taker. He explained that he took responsibility for the team in that moment.
“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,” he stated.
Despite the setback, Lookman remains focused on moving forward and using the experience as motivation. “Life’s about challenges and turning pain into power, which I’ll continue to do,” he added.
Atalanta’s Champions League journey came to an end as they suffered a 5-2 aggregate defeat to Club Brugge, dashing their hopes of progressing further in the competition.
