The Atalanta striker Ademola Lookman said his coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s comments describing him as “one of the worst penalty takers” he had ever seen after Tuesday’s Champions League exit were “deeply disrespectful” and hurtful.
Writing on Instagram, Lookman said: “Being singled out in the manner I have been not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful, not least because of the immense hard work and commitment I have always put in each and every day to help bring success to this club and to the incredible fans of Bergamo.
Gasperini said Lookman has a “terrible record even in training”, adding that Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere were better options to take the penalty.
However the Nigerian, who has scored 15 times this season, then had a penalty saved by Simon Mignolet, after which Gasperini said Lookman was not supposed to take the spot-kick.
“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.
