Atalanta player, Ademola Lookman, has said the club's designated penalty taker told him to take the penalty he missed when his side lost 3-1 to Club Brugge in the Champions League on Tuesday.

This was as he expressed dislike for the criticism from manager Gian Piero Gasperini who called him the worst penalty taker he has ever seen.

Lookman, who just returned from an injury, scored Atalanta's only goal in the match but lost the chance to make it a double when he lost the penalty.

The penalty would have given the club the fighting chance to erase the loss recorded in the first leg.

Expressing displeasure about the outcome of the game, Gasperini slammed the African footballer of the Year, saying, “Ademola Lookman is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen.”

This was as he revealed that Lookman disregarded the club's designated penalty taker and stepped forward for the shot which he missed.

“He wanted to take the penalty after scoring a goal. He took the ball despite Retegui and De Keteleare being available to take it… I didn’t like what Lookman did,” Gasperini added.

In a statement, Lookman revealed that the criticism is one of the things he suffers at Atalanta which he doesn't speak of.

He said, "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 l'll continue to do."

ASA