‘Deeply disrespectful’ – Ademola Lookman breaks silence after scathing manager comments over missed penalty
Ademola Lookman blasted his manager’s ‘deeply disrespectful’ comments following his missed penalty in Atalanta’s defeat to Club Brugge. Lookman had his spot-kick in the 61st minute saved by Simon Mignolet as the Italians were knocked out of the Champions League in a 5-2 aggregate defeat. Lookman hoped to be the hero from the spot but it was not to beAFP Following the loss, Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini claimed Lookman ‘wasn’t supposed to take the penalty’. He even described the Nigerian as ‘one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen’ in a brutal takedown. That’s despite Lookman missing only two attempts from 12 yards since 2020 and burying his previous four penalty efforts since joining Atalanta in 2022. The 27-year-old has now shared his side of the story on social media as he hit out at the Atalanta boss and revealed he was instructed to take the penalty. “It saddens me on a day like this to have to write this statement – most of all because of what we achieved together as a team and as a city,” Lookman 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 much 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.” Having lost in the Champions League play-offs, Atalanta’s European campaign this season is over as clubs no longer drop into the Europa League. AFPAtalanta boss Gasperini issued a brutal takedown of Lookman[/caption] Atalanta, who won the Europa League last season thanks to Lookman’s hat-trick in the final, went into Tuesday’s contest needing a victory after Brugge won the first leg 2-1. Hopes of a comeback in front of their home fans in Bergamo were dealt a hammer blow when Chemsdine Talbi scored after just three minutes. The aggregate score then ballooned to 5-1 before half-time following Talbi’s second as well as Ferran Jutgla’s strike in stoppage time. It left Atalanta going into the second half requiring four goals to avoid elimination. Lookman inspired faint glimmers of a comeback when he scored just 34 seconds after the break to make it 5-2 to Brugge on aggregate. It was also the Nigerian international’s 15th goal in all competitions this term, with his haul making him Atalanta’s second-top scorer behind Mateo Retegui. However, his chance to reduce the deficit from the spot left the hosts with a mountain that was simply too high to climb. Lookman sparked hopes of a surprise comeback but it proved futileGetty Atalanta’s night ended on a sour note when skipper Rafael Toloi was sent off in the 87th minute when he struck Maxim De Cuyper from behind after he slipped and fell over while trying to throw the ball at the Belgian. Gasperini’s side will look to shake off the Champions League exit when they travel to Empoli on Sunday.
Ademola Lookman blasted his manager’s ‘deeply disrespectful’ comments following his missed penalty in Atalanta’s defeat to Club Brugge.
Lookman had his spot-kick in the 61st minute saved by Simon Mignolet as the Italians were knocked out of the Champions League in a 5-2 aggregate defeat.
Following the loss, Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini claimed Lookman ‘wasn’t supposed to take the penalty’.
He even described the Nigerian as ‘one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen’ in a brutal takedown.
That’s despite Lookman missing only two attempts from 12 yards since 2020 and burying his previous four penalty efforts since joining Atalanta in 2022.
The 27-year-old has now shared his side of the story on social media as he hit out at the Atalanta boss and revealed he was instructed to take the penalty.
“It saddens me on a day like this to have to write this statement – most of all because of what we achieved together as a team and as a city,” Lookman 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 much 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.”
Having lost in the Champions League play-offs, Atalanta’s European campaign this season is over as clubs no longer drop into the Europa League.
Atalanta, who won the Europa League last season thanks to Lookman’s hat-trick in the final, went into Tuesday’s contest needing a victory after Brugge won the first leg 2-1.
Hopes of a comeback in front of their home fans in Bergamo were dealt a hammer blow when Chemsdine Talbi scored after just three minutes.
The aggregate score then ballooned to 5-1 before half-time following Talbi’s second as well as Ferran Jutgla’s strike in stoppage time.
It left Atalanta going into the second half requiring four goals to avoid elimination.
Lookman inspired faint glimmers of a comeback when he scored just 34 seconds after the break to make it 5-2 to Brugge on aggregate.
It was also the Nigerian international’s 15th goal in all competitions this term, with his haul making him Atalanta’s second-top scorer behind Mateo Retegui.
However, his chance to reduce the deficit from the spot left the hosts with a mountain that was simply too high to climb.
Atalanta’s night ended on a sour note when skipper Rafael Toloi was sent off in the 87th minute when he struck Maxim De Cuyper from behind after he slipped and fell over while trying to throw the ball at the Belgian.
Gasperini’s side will look to shake off the Champions League exit when they travel to Empoli on Sunday.
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