Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has responded to Atalanta coach following his comment after the striker missed penalty. The coach said the player is the worst penalty taker he has ever seen in his life. This comment was not made in secret but in a press conference.
According to the coach he said: “Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty. He is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen.” The was disrespect not just to Ademola Lookman but also to all Africans as he is the African player of the year.
Ademole Lookman Not Happy With Coach Gasperini’s Comment on Him
Reacting to this, the Nigerian revealed that he has faced a lot of struggle in the club. He said he has been calm because he was protecting the club. The Nigerian said it was bad for the manager to single him out. Atalanta were 3-0 down at home before half time and Ademola Lookman was on the bench.
Lookman came in the second half and scored their first goal. Their captain received one of the worst red card in the history of football but it was the Nigerian that was blamed. Atalanta did not win a single game throughout the time the player was injured.
Ademola Lookman scored 34 seconds after coming on as a half-time substitute before he missed the penalty. After the match, coach Gasperini said Lookman was not supposed to take the penalty and claimed the 27-year-old had a “frankly terrible record even in training.”
Reacting to all that Lookman said: “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.”
The Nigeria international added: “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.” According to Gasperini, team-mates Mateo Retegui or Charles de Ketelaere should have taken the spot-kick.
However, Lookman said he was instructed by “the designated penalty taker” to take it.” Meanwhile before last night’s Champions League exit, Lookman had a perfect penalty record for Atalanta, scoring all four penalties he had taken.
