Ademola Lookman Hits Back At His Coach Gasperini For Saying He Is The Worst Penalty Taker After UCL Exist

• Gasperini specifically criticized Lookman for missing a penalty in the second leg.

• Lookman, who was named Atalanta’s Player of the Season and the 2024 African Player of the Year, came off the bench when the team was behind 3-0.

Ademola Lookman has addressed the criticism from Atalanta’s manager Gian Piero Gasperini after the team’s 5-2 aggregate loss to Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League. Gasperini specifically criticized Lookman for missing a penalty in the second leg.

Lookman, who was named Atalanta’s Player of the Season and the 2024 African Player of the Year, came off the bench when the team was behind 3-0. He scored just 35 seconds into the second half but missed an important penalty in the 61st minute that might have sparked a comeback.

In the press conference following the game, Gasperini expressed his disappointment with Lookman’s choice to take the penalty. He pointed out that Lookman was not the assigned penalty taker and had a bad track record in training.

“Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty; he is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” Gasperini disclosed in an after-match press conference.

“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.”

In reaction to Gasperini’s remarks, Lookman expressed his disappointment on social media, labeling the comments as disrespectful and painful. He reiterated his loyalty to Atalanta and mentioned the challenges he has experienced while at the club.

“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.

“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,” he concluded.

The visible conflict between Lookman and Gasperini has raised questions about Lookman’s potential departure this summer.

Despite facing criticism, Lookman has played an important role in Atalanta’s achievements. He was instrumental in securing their first European title last May, netting a hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen. So far this season, he has tallied 15 goals and six assists in 28 matches, helping Atalanta sit third in Serie A, trailing Napoli by five points.

See reactions below;

@chekwasmichaels : Some people don’t know how to be good leaders, must you criticize him in public even if he missed a penalty, na to load am shot for head during training, just do like sey na mistake, aim him head with better free kick wey Dey curve😡.

@lowrypictures01 : Guy stop crying it was selfish for you to take a pen when the team have a pen taker it’s that simple stop complaining and apologies for missing the pen at a great moment for the team these days you guys get to emotion for a craft you play and you being paid for it.

@king_jsg : Ademola…..look man! You. Better leave that place 🚶🏿‍♂️.

@biggfish.xx : Well said bro. Criticism should build, not tear down. You’ve given so much to the team and one penalty doesn’t change that. Keep your head up bro!!!

@legendr3lenz : Serie A is never the league for black players. Even players with Italian nationality like Balotelli and one Juventus striker like that suffered it . A lot of the players did rubbish including the captain but the coach singled out lookman like his penalty will make them win.

@oh_zealous : He came in and Scored immediately, and was disrespected like that for missing a penalty, Too bad.

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