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AUNEOLA LOOKMAN Furiously replied the “disrespectful” comments of Gian Piero Gasperini about his penalty in Atalanta’s defeat against the Brugge club, where his manager labeled him as “one of the worst penalty makers I have seen.”
Atalanta was eliminated from the Champions League on the Belgian side by virtue of an aggregate defeat of 5-2 in the play-offs of the knockout round, with a 3-1 defeat in Bergamo on Tuesday night sealing its destination.
After going down 3-0 to part time, Lookman scored his team’s only goal on the early night in the second half after returning from an absence of three games with a knee injury.
But the moment that seemed to kill Atalanta’s hopes to return was when the 27 -year -old saw his penalty saved by Simon Mignolet shortly after.
After the game, the manager Giasperini said: “It was supposed to not have that penalty, it is one of the worst penalty makers that I have seen.
“It has a frankly terrible record even in training, it turns very few of them. Retegui and Ketelaere were there, but Lookman in a moment of enthusiasm after scoring decided to take the ball and that was a gesture that he did not appreciate at all. “
Lookman hits Giasperini’s comments
The International of Nigeria, who was recently appointed African footballer of the year, has now spoken publicly against his manager for his comments after the game.
Writing in X, Lookman said: “It saddens me in a day like this having to write this statement, especially for what we have achieved together as a team and as a city.
“Being pointed out in the way that I have been not only hurts, but it feels deeply disrespectful, especially due to immense hard work and the commitment that I have always put in every day to help bring this club successful the incredibles and the incredible ones Bergamo fans.
“In truth, I have dealt with many difficult moments during my time here, most of which I have never spoken because, in my opinion, the team must always be protected and must be the first. This makes what happened last night is even more hurtful.
“Together with our incredible fans, we, as a team, are also suffering with the result of the previous night. During the party, the designated penalty policyholder told me to take the penalty; And to support the team, I assumed responsibility at the time of doing so.
“Life is challenges and converting pain into power, what I will continue doing.”
– Adela Lookman (@alookman_) February 19, 2025
Lookman joined RB Leipzig Atalanta in 2022, scoring 47 goals and providing 23 assists in 106 appearances for the club based in Bergamo.
The former Everton and Fulham striker scored a hat-trick in the final when Atalanta won the Europa League for its first great European honor.
He also scored three goals for Nigeria during the Super Eagles race to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations last year.
