Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has broken his silence after head coach Gian Piero Gasperini publicly criticized him as “one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen.”
The Nigerian international, who missed a crucial penalty in Atalanta’s recent match, expressed his deep disappointment over his manager’s comments in an emotional statement.
Lookman’s Statement: “It Saddens Me”
Lookman admitted that being singled out in such a harsh manner felt “deeply disrespectful”, especially considering the effort and commitment he has always shown for the club.
“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.”
Lookman: “The Team Must Always Come First”
The former Leicester City and RB Leipzig winger also revealed that he has endured many difficult moments during his time at Atalanta but has chosen to remain silent for the sake of the team.
“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.”
On the Missed Penalty
Lookman clarified that he wasn’t originally supposed to take the penalty but stepped up after being instructed by the designated penalty taker.
“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.”
“Turning Pain Into Power”
Despite the controversy, Lookman remains determined to overcome the setback and continue pushing forward.
“Life’s about challenges and turning pain into power, which I’ll continue to do.”
What’s Next for Lookman?
Tensions between Lookman and Gasperini are now high, and it remains to be seen how their relationship will evolve. Fans will be watching closely to see whether the manager’s comments affect Lookman’s role in the team moving forward.
Stay tuned for more updates.
