Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
Ademola Lookman furiously hit again at Gian Piero Gasperini’s “disrespectful” feedback about his penalty miss in Atalanta’s defeat to Membership Brugge the place his supervisor labelled him as “one of many worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen”.
Atalanta have been knocked out of the Champions League by the Belgian aspect by advantage of a 5-2 combination defeat within the knockout spherical play-offs, with a 3-1 defeat in Bergamo on Tuesday evening sealing their destiny.
After going 3-0 down at half-time, Lookman scored his crew’s solely objective on the evening early within the second half after getting back from a three-game absence with a knee harm.
However the second which appeared to kill off Atalanta’s hopes of a comeback was when the 27-year-old noticed his penalty saved by Simon Mignolet shortly afterwards.
After the sport, supervisor Giasperini stated: “Lookman was not presupposed to take that penalty, he is likely one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen.
“He has a frankly horrible report even in coaching, he converts only a few of them. Retegui and De Ketelaere have been there, however Lookman in a second of enthusiasm after scoring determined to take the ball and that was a gesture I didn’t respect in any respect.”
Lookman slams Giasperini’s feedback
The Nigeria worldwide, who was lately named African Footballer of the 12 months, has now publicly spoken out in opposition to his supervisor for his post-match feedback.
Writing on X, Lookman stated: “It saddens me on a day like this to have to write down this assertion – Most of all due to what we have now achieved collectively as a crew and as a metropolis.
“Being singled out within the method I’ve been not solely hurts however feels deeply disrespectful, not least due to the immense onerous work and dedication I’ve all the time put in each day to assist convey success to this membership and the unimaginable followers of Bergamo.
“In reality, I’ve handled many troublesome moments throughout my time right here – the vast majority of which I’ve by no means spoken about as a result of for my part the crew should all the time be protected and should come first. This makes what occurred final evening much more hurtful.
“Together with our unimaginable followers, we as a crew are hurting too with final evening’s consequence. Throughout the match the designated penalty taker instructed me to take the penalty; and to help the crew I took the accountability within the second to take action.
“Life’s about challenges and turning ache into energy, which I’ll proceed to do.”
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— Ademola Lookman (@Alookman_) February 19, 2025
Lookman joined Atalanta from RB Leipzig in 2022, scoring 47 targets and offering 23 assists in 106 appearances for the Bergamo-based membership.
The previous Everton and Fulham ahead scored a hat-trick within the ultimate as Atalanta gained the Europa League for his or her first ever main European honour.
He additionally scored three targets for Nigeria through the Tremendous Eagles’ run to the Africa Cup of Nations ultimate final yr.
