Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has hit back at his manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, after being publicly criticized for missing a penalty in the club’s Champions League exit against Club Brugge.

Lookman’s Emotional Response

Following Gasperini’s remark that Lookman was “one of the worst penalty-takers I’ve ever seen,” the Nigerian star released a statement expressing his disappointment. He revealed that he only took the penalty because the designated taker instructed him to do so.

“Being singled out in this manner not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful,” Lookman wrote. “During the match, the designated penalty taker instructed me to take the penalty; and to support the team, I took responsibility.”

Lookman, who had just returned from a knee injury, had scored within 42 seconds of coming on in the second half, giving Atalanta hope of a comeback. However, his missed penalty in the 61st minute saw the Italian side crash out of the tournament.

Double Standards in Gasperini’s Criticism

Fans and journalists have condemned Gasperini for unfairly targeting Lookman while ignoring other key errors from teammates. Supporters pointed out that Mateo Retegui, Atalanta’s designated penalty taker, had missed two crucial penalties earlier in the season without facing public criticism. Similarly, captain Rafael Toloi’s red card for violent conduct in the same match went unaddressed.

Nigerian journalists and football fans have drawn comparisons to Victor Osimhen’s fallout with Napoli, where he was publicly ridiculed by his club despite leading them to a Serie A title. Many have called for Lookman to leave Atalanta at the end of the season.

Lookman’s Strong Season and Future Speculation

Despite limited appearances due to injury, Lookman has been one of Atalanta’s standout players, recording 21 goal contributions in 26 games across Serie A and the Champions League. His hat-trick in last season’s Europa League final secured Atalanta’s first-ever European trophy.

Despite the controversy, Lookman remains defiant: “Life’s about challenges and turning pain into power, which I’ll continue to do.”