Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has issued a statement following head coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s scathing remarks after their UEFA Champions League elimination.
Lookman, returning from injury, was introduced in the second half with Atalanta trailing 3-0. He quickly scored and had another goal disallowed, but his night took a turn for the worse after missing a crucial penalty.
During his post-match press conference, Gasperini publicly criticized Lookman, calling him the worst penalty taker he had ever seen. The reigning African Footballer of the Year responded with a heartfelt statement, expressing his disappointment at the “deeply disrespectful” remarks from his manager.
Lookman’s Emotional Response
Taking to his social media pages, Lookman addressed the situation, stating:
“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.”
The Nigerian international also revealed that he has endured many challenges during his time at Atalanta, which he has kept private for the sake of team unity.
“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.”
Lookman also clarified the penalty situation, revealing that the designated penalty taker had instructed him to take the spot-kick.
“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.”
Despite the heartbreaking exit, he remains committed to Atalanta and its fans, emphasizing the importance of team unity during this difficult period.
