football
Atalanta’s Gasperini stated that he did not intend to offend Lookman.
Atalanta’s head coach, Gian Gasperini, has stepped forward to clarify his recent comments regarding the club’s promising forward, Ademola Lookman. In the wake of Lookman’s missed penalty during a crucial UEFA Champions League match that saw Atalanta bow out of the tournament, Gasperini expressed that his intentions were never to wound or belittle the player’s efforts. This clarification came during an engaging pre-match press conference on Saturday, held in anticipation of their Serie A showdown against Empoli the following day.
In a dramatic turn of events against Club Brugge, Lookman electrified the stadium just 36 seconds after entering the fray, scoring a goal that momentarily ignited hope among the spectators. However, that thrill quickly turned to dismay when he was unable to convert a penalty kick in the 61st minute. The match concluded with Atalanta on the losing side, 3-1, and Gasperini expressed his disappointment by labeling Lookman as “one of the worst penalty-takers” he had ever encountered throughout his extensive coaching career.
Responding to Gasperini’s harsh critique, Lookman took to Instagram on Wednesday to voice his feelings. In an emotionally charged post, he described Gasperini’s remarks as “deeply disrespectful,” conveying his frustration and sense of injustice after striving to turn the game around.
Addressing the issue at his press conference, Gasperini sought to mend any rifts, emphasizing that his words were not meant to disparage Lookman, who has been instrumental for the team. The seasoned coach expressed admiration for Lookman’s “extraordinary impact” during the Brugge match, insisting that he firmly believes in Lookman’s potential to develop his skills, especially in the area of penalty taking.
“I understand that Lookman felt offended, but my intent was far from that,” Gasperini explained. “He came on in a remarkable fashion against Brugge; his energy was palpable. However, that doesn’t alter my viewpoint on the situation. I had hoped a player of his caliber would have shown some initiative towards our designated penalty taker, Charles De Ketelaere, by encouraging him with a phrase like, ‘Come on, hold the ball, put it in.’ I truly believe he can master penalty taking and bolster his scoring prowess.”
Gasperini also turned the conversation towards his own future with the club, hinting at the possibility of stepping away at the season’s end or when his current contract concludes next year. “I realize that my time in this role may be short-lived; this could very well be my last chance,” he reflected with a thoughtful gaze. “As has been often stated, every journey has a beginning and an inevitable end. At the season’s end, we will assess whether I will let my contract run its course or make an earlier departure. What I can assure you is that there will be no continuity beyond this point, and I won’t be seeking any extensions or renewals.”
Ivan Toney has voiced his anger after finding his car broken into during his time in London. The England international, who currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli, is enjoying his summer break in the UK.
His visit took a turn for the worse when he discovered his black car with both its front and rear windows shattered. Toney took to Instagram to post a photo of the damage, captioning it: “This is why I hate London.”
The incident occurred while Toney was in the city for the Wireless Festival in Finsbury Park, where he was seen with fellow footballers Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho. It remains unclear if any belongings were stolen from the vehicle, or where exactly in London the break-in took place. Crime continues to be a pressing concern in various boroughs, with over 950,000 crimes reported in the capital last year. Former Metropolitan Police officers have criticized the effectiveness of law enforcement, suggesting that criminals act without fear of repercussions.
Toney’s experience reflects a wider issue, as phone thefts and gang-related youth crime are also rising across the city. Public transport hasn’t been immune either, with over 31,000 offences recorded on London’s network between January and August last year.
The 28-year-old forward made a £40 million move to Al-Ahli from Brentford last year, rapidly making an impact by scoring 30 goals in his debut season. Despite the recent car incident, it’s still uncertain if Toney will be called up for England’s upcoming matches. He was part of the squad for the June fixtures against Andorra and Senegal but had limited playing time, mostly sitting on the bench during the 1-0 victory over Andorra and only briefly playing in the 3-1 loss to Senegal.
England will face Andorra again at Wembley in September, followed by matches against Serbia, Wales, and Latvia in the following months. Whether Toney features in the lineup remains to be seen.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the call-up of University of Connecticut forward Chioma Okafor to participate in the Super Falcons’ training camp in Lisbon ahead of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), as reported by www.aclsports.com.
Okafor has officially decided to represent Nigeria internationally, putting to rest any doubts about her dual nationality. With a Nigerian father and a Malawian mother, the 20-year-old ultimately chose the Super Falcons after discussions with both football associations. The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) confirmed her choice and extended their best wishes for her international career.
Renowned for her speed and scoring skills, Okafor plays collegiate football in the United States. Her inclusion is anticipated to enhance Nigeria’s offensive line, as the nine-time African champions aim to regain their continental title.
The Super Falcons are set to commence their training camp in Lisbon soon, with a friendly match against Portugal lined up, followed by another game against Ghana’s Black Queens in Morocco. Okafor’s selection heralds an exciting new phase in her career, with a potential debut on one of Africa’s most significant football platforms.
SOURCE: aclsports.com
Manchester United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, expressed on Tuesday that the absence from Champions League football might actually benefit the club as he works on reviving the storied team. Speaking to the press in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Amorim reflected on United’s disappointing season, where they finished 15th in the Premier League, marking their worst performance since 1974.
The team missed out not only on a prestigious Champions League spot but also the financial rewards that come with it after their defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final last week.
“I believe that not being in the Champions League could be an advantage for us to enhance our performance, to prepare for matches better, and to establish the core group we need for the future,” said Amorim, who took over from Erik ten Hag during the season but struggled to turn things around.
“It’s beneficial for us to utilize the absence of European games,” he added, lightening the mood when his phone alarm went off during the press conference ahead of Wednesday’s friendly against a Southeast Asian XI.
Given the financial constraints in acquiring players for his desired formation, Amorim faces a significant challenge in returning United to the upper echelons of football next season. “Right now, our goal is to win the first game. We have a lot of work ahead this summer to prepare the team,” he noted.
“When you’re Manchester United, there’s an expectation to be at the top. However, we need to grasp the current context,” he said. He emphasized the importance of focusing on immediate goals: “I don’t want the team to think big; let’s just aim for winning the first game and then take it from there.”
Amorim hinted that he might provide opportunities for fringe players during their upcoming friendly match. The club hopes that their friendly matches in Malaysia and a game against Hong Kong on Friday will generate necessary revenue, with reports indicating that the trip could bring in approximately $10 million (£7.8 million) for the club.
Midfielder Mason Mount expressed his excitement upon arriving in the humid Kuala Lumpur after a quick departure following a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday. He noted that fans greeted the team at the airport, ready to take pictures and welcome them to the country. “We got off the plane, and there were hundreds of people waiting for us. We’re thrilled to be here and looking forward to the game tomorrow,” he shared.
Kuala Lumpur is expecting highs of 37 degrees Celsius (99 Fahrenheit) this week, with thunderstorms forecasted on game day at the 84,000-capacity Bukit Jalil national stadium.
AFP
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