Nigerian striker Ademola Lookman has hit back at his own manager Gian Piero Gasperini for branding him ‘one of the worst penalty-takers I’ve ever seen’, saying he was hurt, and it was disrespectful.
The Atalanta frontman missed a penalty as the Italian side crashed out of the Champions League at Gewiss Stadium after losing 3-1 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate to Club Brugge.
With Gasperini’s side trailing 3-0, Lookman scored a consolation after 46 minutes before they were awarded a penalty for a glimmer of hope which saw his effort saved by ex-Liverpool shotstopper Simon Mignolet.
In his assessment, the 67-year-old manager brutally slammed Lookman’s actions for taking the spot kick while the designated penalty taker was on the pitch.
“Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty, he is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” said Gasperini, according to the Mirror.
“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.”
The 27-year-old, who is the current African Footballer of the Year, has since spoken out, and suggested the comments should have instead kept private as he was in fact instructed to take the spot kick, further adding that he had in the past protected the team and was disappointed by Gasperini’s comments.
“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,” he said on social media.
“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.”
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