Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has responded to the comments made by Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini after their 3-1 home defeat to Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, Afrosport reports.
Atalanta lost 5-2 on aggregate to the Belgian club in their Champions League knockout play-off clash and were knocked out of Europe.
Lookman, who returned to action after being out for three weeks with a knee injury, scored Atalanta’s only goal at Gewiss Stadium to become the first Nigerian to score in four consecutive Champions League games.
The Nigerian, however, squandered the chance to get a brace as he lost a penalty in the 61st minute, to the dismay of the fans and his boss Gasperini, who called him “one of the worst penalty takers” he has seen.
“Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty, he is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” the Italian manager said after the game.
“He has a frankly terrible record even in training, he converts very few of them. [Mateo] Retegui and [Charles] 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.”
Lookman, meanwhile, took to social media on Wednesday to give a full account of the incident, adding that he was hurt to be singled out by his manager.
“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,” the 27-year-old wrote on X.
“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.”
— Ademola Lookman (@Alookman_) February 19, 2025
Lookman helped Atalanta win their first-ever European title and their first trophy since 1963, scoring a hat-trick in the Europa League final. He also led La Dea to the Coppa Italia final last season, where they lost to Juventus in the final.
The former Leicester City and RB Leipzig man joined Atalanta in 2022, and has since scored 47 goals and provided 23 assists in over a century of games for the Bergamo-based club.
Lookman has scored 15 goals and provided seven assists in 28 games across all competitions this season, including 10 goals in 19 Serie A matches.
