After his own manager called him “one of the worst penalty-takers I’ve ever seen,” Ademola Lookman has responded.
As Atalanta lost badly in the Champions League, the star of the team missed a spotkick that was allegedly not intended for him to take. After losing 3-1 at the Gewiss Stadium, Club Brugge defeated the Serie A team 5-2 overall.
Before Atalanta’s penalty gave them a chance to rally, Gian Piero Gasperini’s team was already behind 3-0 when Lookman scored after 46 minutes. Lookman, a product of the Charlton academy, attempted to take the ball from 12 yards out, but former Liverpool and Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet saved his attempt.
His manager, who had preferred players on the field to assume responsibility immediately, slapped Lookman mercilessly for his actions. The 67-year-old coach was unreserved in his evaluation.
“Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty, he is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” said Gasperini.
“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 has since come forward to say that such remarks shouldn’t have been made in public because he was actually told to accept the penalty. Lookman pointed out that Gasperini’s remarks were even more disheartening because he had previously shielded the team.
Ademola Lookman was visibly disappointed
“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 wrote 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.”
Lookman has angered a manager before for his exploits involving penalty taking. The winger had the chance to equalize from the penalty spot against West Ham with the final kick of the game in 2020 while on loan at Fulham.
