Atalanta striker Ademola Lookman says it was "deeply disrespectful" for his coach Gian Piero Gasperini to describe him as "one of the worst penalty takers" he had ever seen after their Champions League exit.

Belgian side Club Brugge stunned Atalanta 3-1 in the second leg of their knockout-phase play-off tie on Tuesday, reaching the last 16 with a 5-2 aggregate win.

Lookman pulled a goal back for Atalanta after coming on as a half-time substitute with La Dea 3-0 down.

Timed at 45 minutes and 34 seconds, it was the fastest goal scored by a half-time substitute in Champions League history.

However, the Nigerian – who has scored 15 times this season – was criticised by his coach after having a 61st-minute penalty saved by Simon Mignolet.

Gasperini said Lookman was not supposed to take the penalty but had taken the ball off his team-mates, describing him as one of the worst takers he had ever seen.

Lookman has now responded in a post to his social media channels, saying: "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.

"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 is about challenges and turning pain into power, which I'll continue to do."

Lookman has scored four of his six penalties in all competitions during his career in Europe's top five leagues, also missing against West Ham as a Fulham player in 2020.

Gasperini had said Lookman "has a terrible record even in training", adding that Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere were better options to take the spot-kick.

Lookman was Atalanta's hero last season when they won the Europa League, netting a hat-trick in the final when they beat Bayer Leverkusen, who had been undefeated all season.