By Nurudeen Obalola
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has responded to Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini’s harsh criticism following Tuesday night’s defeat to Club Brugge.
Lookman came on at the start of the second half of the UEFA Champions League playoffs second leg clash in Bergamo with Atalanta 3-0 down on the night and 5-1 behind on aggregate.
The Nigeria international made an instant impact by scoring less than one minute into his introduction, but he missed a penalty 15 minutes later as Club Brugge sensationally knocked Atalanta out.
Despite Lookman being the best player on the pitch in the second half, Gasperini targeted him at his post-match press conference for taking the spot kick and called the African Player of the Year one of the worst penalty takers he had ever seen.
“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,” Lookman, who scored a historic hat-trick last May as Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen to win the UEFA Europa League trophy, wrote on social media on Wednesday.
“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.”
While Gasperini accused Lookman of ignoring the penalty-taking pecking order to take the spot kick, the Nigerian said that was not the case.
“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,” Lookman explained.
“Life’s about challenges and turning pain into power which I’ll continue to do.”
Lookman was on the verge of leaving Atalanta last summer but a purported move to Paris Saint-Germain did not materialise, and he has been the Italian club’s best player this season with 15 goals and six assists in 28 appearances in all competitions.
