Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has expressed his disappointment over comments made by coach Gian Piero Gasperini regarding his missed penalty during the team’s recent Champions League elimination against Club Brugge. After coming on as a substitute, Lookman scored just 34 seconds into the second half but failed to convert a crucial penalty, prompting Gasperini to label him as “one of the worst penalty takers” he has seen.
In the aftermath of the match, Gasperini voiced his frustration, stating that Lookman should not have taken the penalty, indicating that teammates Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere were the preferred options. He criticized Lookman’s decision, saying, “Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty. He has a frankly terrible record even in training and converts very few of them.”
Lookman took to social media to defend himself, describing Gasperini’s remarks as “deeply disrespectful.” He emphasized the dedication and hard work he puts into the team, stating, “Being singled out in the manner I have been not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful.” The Nigerian international expressed his commitment to the club and its fans, noting that he has faced many challenging moments during his time at Atalanta, most of which he kept private for the sake of team unity.
The 27-year-old clarified that he was instructed by the “designated penalty taker” to step up for the spot-kick, and he took on the responsibility in a moment of enthusiasm after scoring. “This makes what happened last night even more hurtful,” he added. “Along with our incredible fans, we as a team are hurting too with last night’s result.”
As the dust settles on this controversial episode, Lookman remains focused on turning adversity into strength, demonstrating resilience in the face of criticism. The situation highlights the pressure athletes face, not only from their performances but also from the expectations of coaches and teammates in high-stakes matches.
