I was told to take the penalty – Lookman fires back at Atalanta boss, Gasperini’

Atalanta winger, Ademola Lookman, has insisted he was told by the team’s designated penalty taker, to take a spot-kick in their 3-1 defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Lookman, who started the play-off second from the bench, had pulled one back immediately after the restart.

The Belgian raced into a three-goal lead in the first half, having won the first leg 2-1 at home.

But Lookman had the chance to score a second but saw his penalty palmed aside by Simon Mignolet.

Speaking after the game, Atalanta manager Gasperini claimed Lookman was “the worst penalty taker he has ever seen.”

However, hours after Gasperini’s comments and the reactions that followed, the Super Eagles star took to social media to release a statement.