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Ademola Lookman Responds to Gian Piero Gasperini’s Criticism

Ademola Lookman has publicly defended himself against comments made by Atalanta’s manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, labeling them as “deeply disrespectful” following the team’s exit from the UEFA Champions League.

Lookman returned from injury to play as a substitute in the crucial second leg of the Champions League playoff against Club Brugge. He entered the match at half-time, when Atalanta was trailing with a 5-1 deficit on aggregate, and managed to score just 36 seconds after coming on.

A pivotal moment arose in the match when Atalanta was awarded a penalty about an hour in. Lookman controversially decided to take the penalty kick, despite the presence of established penalty takers, Charles De Ketelaere and Mateo Retegui. Unfortunately, he missed the opportunity to score, leading to criticism from Gasperini.

After the match, Gasperini stated, “Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty, he is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen.” He further elaborated on Lookman’s performance in practice, citing a poor conversion rate and expressing his displeasure with Lookman’s decision to take the penalty without prior agreement.

Lookman’s Response

In an emotional statement released after the match, Lookman expressed disappointment at being singled out, saying, “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.” He emphasized the hard work and dedication he has contributed to Atalanta, alluding to past challenges he chose not to speak of for the sake of team unity.

Lookman explained that he took the initiative to step up for the penalty, following the instructions of the designated penalty taker. “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,” he noted. He ended his statement on a hopeful note, indicating his commitment to transform adversity into strength as they move forward.

This series of events highlights the tension that can arise in high-pressure situations in sports, especially when individual decisions can significantly impact the team’s performance and morale. As Atalanta reflects on their recent campaign, the dynamics within the squad and the importance of communication will likely be at the forefront of discussions.

Further developments on this story are expected as it continues to unfold.

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