Ademola Lookman hit Gian Piero Gasperini’s comments on Miss’s sentence in Atalanta’s defeat at Club Brugge where his manager described him as “one of the worst recipients I’ve ever seen”.
Atalanta was hit by the Champions League on the Belgian side based on a total 5-2 defeat in Knockout round play-offs, with a 3-1 defeat in Bergamo on Tuesday night sealing their fate.
After 3-0 in the half, Lookman scored his team’s sole target at night early the second half after returning from a three-game absence of three games with a knee injury.
But the moment he seemed to kill Atalanta’s hopes for a return was when the 27 -year -old saw his sentence saved by Simon Mignolet shortly afterwards.
After the game, director Giasperini said: “Lookman didn’t have to get this sentence, he’s one of the worst I’ve ever seen.
“He has a sincerely awesome record even in education, he turns very few of them. ”
Lookman hits Giasperini’s comments
International Nigeria, recently named African footballer of the year, has now spoken publicly against his director about his comments after the match.
Writing on X, Lookman said: “I am sorry for one day like the one I have to write this statement – mainly because of what we have achieved together as a team and as a city.
“Being special in the way I was not only hurting, but it feels deeply disrespectful, mainly because of the huge hard work and commitment I have always put every day to help achieve this club and the incredible Bergamo followers.
“In fact, I have dealt with many difficult times during my time here – the majority of which I have never spoke In the evening even more harmful.
“Together with our incredible fans, we as a team also hurt with the result of last night. During the race, the designated penalty has ordered me to take the sentence. And to support the team, I took this responsibility the moment to do it.
“Life is for the challenges and the conversion of pain in power, which I will continue to do.”
– Ademola Lookman (@alookman_) 19 February 2025
Lookman joined Atalanta by RB Leipzig in 2022, scoring 47 goals and providing 23 assists in 106 appearances for the Bergamo -based club.
Former Everton and Fulham forwards a hat-trick in the final, as Atalanta won the Europa League for their first big European price.
He also scored three goals for Nigeria during last year of Super Eagles in his final of the Nations.