Ademola Lookman Responds To Coach’s ‘Disrespectful’ Criticism
Ademola Lookman has responded to Gian Piero Gasperini’s criticism of his penalty miss during Atalanta’s champions league defeat to Club Brugge, saying that being singled out by his coach “not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful.”
The Atalanta coach squarely blamed the Super Eagles forward for the team’s exit from the Champions League at the hands of Club Brugge Tuesday night.
Ademola Lookman has now stated in his defence on social media.
He said the comments of the coach hurt, that he has always put the team first and that the designated penalty taker asked him to take the spot kick.
Lookman, who scored a hat trick as Atalanta won last year’s Europa League final against Xabi Alonso’s previously all-conquering Bayer Leverkusen side, responded to Gasperini’s comments in a post on X on Wednesday.
Lookman wrote in his statement, saying, “It saddens me on a day like this to have to write a statement like this – most of all because of what we have achieved 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 the last night’s result.
“During the match the designated penalty taker instructed me to take the penalty, and to support the team I took the responsibility in the moment to do so.”
“Life’s about challenges and turning pain into power which I’ll continue to do.”
