Ademola Lookman has defiantly responded after his own boss dubbed him “one of the worst penalty-takers I’ve ever seen”. Following a crucial missed penalty in Atalanta’s Champions League exit, the flak from the gaffer came thick and fast.
Atalanta’s European dream was dashed as they were knocked out 5-2 on aggregate by Club Brugge, cemented by a 3-1 defeat at the Gewiss Stadium.
Amidst trailing 3-0, Lookman found the net after 46 minutes, offering Atalanta a glint of hope before they were awarded a penalty. Yet Lookman, forging ahead against what seemed to be managerial instructions, watched his spot-kick effort denied by former Liverpool and Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
The Charlton-produced winger faced severe criticism from his manager for taking the initiative away from other designated players. Gian Piero Gasperini did not mince words, revealing his disappointment over Lookman’s decision-making.
“Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty, he is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” the 67-year-old manager remarked.
“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.”
Lookman has now broken his silence on the matter, expressing dismay over the public criticism he was subjected to. He claimed that contrary to assumptions, he was actually told to take the penalty.
In a statement online, he wrote: “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.”
Lookman’s penalty mishaps have come under scrutiny previously when he fluffed a panenka attempt in the 98th minute whilst on loan at Fulham in 2020 against West Ham. Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski easily caught the tame shot, prompting criticism from then-manager Scott Parker.
“I’m disappointed and angry,” Parker told Match of the Day. “You can’t take penalties like that and he knows that. He’s a young player and he’s learning.
“The boy has made a mistake. Ade is the first to understand that. When you’re young and you’re learning you have to learn quick. He is disappointed and rightly so. This is part and parcel of football, of growing as players and as a team. We’ll get around him now.”
This article originally appeared on Mirror
Content Source: www.express.co.uk