Reigning African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman, has opened up about his penalty miss against Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 playoff tie.

The 27-year-old missed a crucial penalty in the 61st minute as Atalanta lost 3-1, crashing out of the competition with a 5-2 aggregate score.

Despite scoring just 42 seconds after coming on in the second half, Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini criticized his star player over the penalty miss, calling him the worst penalty taker he has ever seen.

The Italian manager has faced severe backlash from fans and pundits alike, who have criticized him for failing to handle the situation with tact.

In a recent post, Lookman has disclosed that he was instructed by the team's designated penalty taker to take the spot kick.

"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. 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.

"In truth, I have dealt with many difficult moments during my time here - the majority of which I have never spoken about because, in my opinion, the team must always be protected and must come first. This makes what happened last night even more hurtful.

"Along with our incredible fans, we as a team are hurting too with last night's result. 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. Life's about challenges and turning pain into power which I'll continue to do."

Lookman registered five goals and two assists in seven UCL appearances for La Dea. He became the first Nigerian international to score in four consecutive Champions League appearances.

WDN