Former Nigerian midfielder Duke Udi has responded via Kick Off Nigeria to Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini, slamming him for his remarks about compatriot Ademola Lookman, in which he described the winger as “one of the worst penalty takers.”
In the aftermath of Atalanta’s 3-1 defeat to Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League playoffs—where Lookman scored before missing a penalty—Gasperini addressed the press, expressing his disappointment over why the forward took the responsibility.
“He shouldn’t have taken it; he’s one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen. The designated penalty takers were De Ketelaere and Retegui, but he was obviously euphoric, and this episode happened. We could have missed it with someone else, but it wasn’t a nice gesture,” Gasperini said.
Hours later, Lookman took to social media to express his dissatisfaction with his manager’s comments, saying:
“To be singled out in the way I have not only hurts, but it also feels deeply disrespectful.”
With tensions rising, in an exclusive interview with The Nerve Africa, Lookman’s compatriot Duke Udi has come out in his support, calling the manager’s comments “absolutely uncalled for and very demeaning.”
“The coach was out of control and out of touch with his comments on Ade (Lookman),” Udi said. “In the moment of defeat, a team has to stick together. Players and coaches must support each other because it’s a collective sport and a shared responsibility.”
“His comments were absolutely uncalled for and very demeaning to a player who has given his best for them over the past seasons. He has been disrespected in the worst way, and I think he should leave in the summer,” Udi added.
“Coaches should be the most emotionally astute individuals on a football team, yet this one has chosen the opposite. Football has lost its touch because those comments were completely unnecessary. Ade (Lookman) took on a responsibility that many others avoided, so the manager’s reaction was absolutely bizarre,” Udi concluded.
Lookman, who only returned from injury yesterday, has already scored 17 goals and provided seven assists in 28 matches across all competitions this season.
