Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has fired back at manager Gian Piero Gasperini following harsh criticism of his penalty-taking technique after the club’s shock UEFA Champions League play-off exit to Club Brugge.
The Serie A side crashed out of the competition with a 5-2 aggregate defeat, losing 2-1 in Belgium before suffering a 3-1 home defeat at the Gewiss Stadium on Tuesday night.
Despite Lookman scoring in the 46th minute to give Atalanta hope, his later penalty attempt was saved by Simon Mignolet, sparking a scathing post-match reaction from Gasperini.
Gasperini Slams Lookman’s Penalty Technique
The Atalanta coach publicly criticized Lookman, suggesting the Nigerian forward took the penalty against team orders.
“Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty,” Gasperini said.
“He is one of the worst penalty-takers I’ve ever seen. His record is terrible. Even in training, he converts very few.
[Mateo] Retegui and [Charles] De Ketelaere were there, but in a moment of enthusiasm after scoring, Lookman took the ball. That was a gesture I did not appreciate at all.”
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Lookman Responds: “Being Singled Out Hurts”
The 27-year-old Nigerian international, one of Atalanta’s key players since joining in 2022, did not take the criticism lightly.
The Europa League final hat-trick hero and Ballon d’Or nominee responded in a powerful statement on Instagram, revealing that he was actually instructed to take the penalty.
“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 wrote.
“Being singled out in this manner not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful, especially considering the immense hard work and commitment I put in every day to bring success to this club and the incredible fans of Bergamo.”
He also hinted at previous struggles behind the scenes, stating:
“I have dealt with many difficult moments here—most of which I’ve never spoken about because, in my opinion, the team must always come first. That makes what happened last night even more hurtful.”
Lookman then clarified that the penalty decision was not his alone:
“During the match, the designated penalty taker instructed me to take it. To support the team, I took responsibility in the moment to do so.”
Ending on a determined note, Lookman vowed to push forward:
“Life’s about challenges and turning pain into power—which I’ll continue to do.”
What’s Next for Lookman and Atalanta?
With Atalanta now out of the Champions League, their focus will shift to domestic and Europa League competitions.
However, Lookman’s rift with Gasperini could create tension in the squad. It remains to be seen if the forward’s response will prompt a reconciliation or deepen the divide between player and coach.
One thing is certain: Lookman remains a key figure for La Dea, and his performances will be crucial in their pursuit of silverware this season.
