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Because the studs don't really go right into the leg, they glance it before coming down on to the foot."

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Today, 13:46By Joe Brophy

Former Premier League star Ademola Lookman blasted his manager's 'deeply disrespectful' comments following his missed penalty in Atalanta's defeat to Club Brugge.

Lookman had his spot-kick in the 61st minute saved by Simon Mignolet as the Italians were knocked out of the Champions League in a 5-2 aggregate defeat.

Following the loss, Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini claimed the ex-Leicester and Fulham star 'wasn't supposed to take the penalty'.

He even described the Nigerian as 'one of the worst penalty takers I've ever seen' in a brutal takedown.

That's despite Lookman missing only two attempts from 12 yards since 2020 and burying his previous four penalty efforts since joining Atalanta in 2022.

"It saddens me on a day like this to have to write this statement - most of all because of what we achieved together as a team and as a city," Lookman wrote on X.

"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.

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 I'll continue to do."

Credit: AFPCopied

Today, 13:19By Joe Brophy

Giorgi Mamardashvili might not be impressing Liverpool fans keeping a key eye on his services as his struggles at Valencia continue.

The Georgian goalkeeper was one of just two signings Arne Slot made upon his Anfield arrival last summer alongside Federico Chiesa.

Liverpool signed the Euro 2024 star for around £26million and immediately loaned him back to Valencia for the current campaign.

The 24-year-old made a name for himself at Euro 2024, impressing as Georgia reached the round of 16 in their first ever major tournament.

Mamardashvili played a key role in Germany, ending the group stage having made 20 saves - seven more than any other goalkeeper - including 11 in a 1-1 draw against Czechia, for which he was awarded the Player of the Match award.

However, he has managed just five clean sheets en route to letting in 28 goals in 20 La Liga appearances this term, with Valencia languishing in the relegation zone.

Mamardashvili is statistically one of the worst goalkeepers in La Liga this season with the 2nd lowest save percentage with 61.5 per cent.

That is just 0.4 percent higher than much-maligned former Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian, albeit the 38-year-old has played far few matches at Real Betis.

In contrast, Alisson Becker is at 71.2 per cent in his 17 Premier League appearances, with Caoimhín Kelleher, the man shown the exit door by Mamardashvili's imminent transfer, at 71 per cent from his eight top-flight showings.

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Today, 12:47By Joe Brophy

Erik ten Hag's sacking at Manchester United cost the club a fortune - with the club publishing their Q2 fiscal report today.

The Dutchman was dismissed by United at the end of October following a run of just one win in eight matches in all competitions.

Man United have confirmed that there total operating expenses for the second quarter of 2024 were £196.4million.

Exceptional items for that period were a cost of £14.5m, relating to costs associated with sacking Ten Hag and various members of staff.

Ten Hag, who agreed to extend his contract at the club until 2026 in the summer, won two trophies during his spell at Old Trafford.

He delivered FA Cup and Carabao Cup success, but a dismal start to the season was enough for United to move for Ruben Amorim.

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Today, 12:12By Joe Brophy

Manchester United flop Antony has shared the secret behind his remarkable return to form out on loan at Real Betis.

The Brazilian was the most expensive signing under former Man United manager Erik ten Hag at £85million, and the second on the club's all time list behind Paul Pogba.

A goal on his debut against Arsenal in September 2022 proved to be a huge false dawn for the winger.

He went on to manage just 11 more with only five assists from 96 appearances and was left out in the cold by Ruben Amorim.

In 2023/24, it took Antony until his 23rd outing in all competitions to end a 31-game goal drought - which came against Newport.

In the Premier League, he finished with only a single goal and assist from 29 appearances and even had to deputise as a left-back.

His only goal in the 2024/25 campaign for United before joining Betis last month was a penalty scored in a 7-0 victory over League One side Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.

However, Antony has hit the ground running in Spain - bagging three goals and one assist in just four games since joining the La Liga side.

“The most important thing is that I have found myself again.

It was not good in terms of the relationship with the coach.

"He said 'OK, I hear what you said' and after that I didn't play."

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Today, 10:37By Joe Brophy

Cash-strapped Manchester United could be set for a much-needed multi-million pound windfall – thanks to former striker Mason Greenwood.

That's from talkSPORT's chief football correspondent Alex Crook.

Greenwood has been banging in goals for fun since leaving Man United to join Roberto de Zerbi’s Marseille last summer.

The ex-England international’s hot streak of 14 goals in 22 games for the French outfit has alerted some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including the likes of PSG and Barcelona.

When United traded Greenwood with Marseille for £26.6miliion they insisted on an unusually high 50 per cent sell-on clause.

With the 23-year-old now valued at around £60m, that means United would bank in the region of £16.5m from any sale.

At a time when Sir Jim Ratcliffe is cutting costs to raise vital transfer funds, that money would come in very handy for struggling boss Ruben Amorim.

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Today, 09:29By Joe Brophy

Omar Marmoush is the future of Manchester City - he's only going to get better.

That is the view of Tottenham cult hero Mido, who has likened the Egyptian forward to his former teammate Jermain Defoe.

He told talkSPORT Breakfast: "I'm not surprised with his ethic from last weekend, I know him very well.

"I know that he is brave and has got the character to compete at the highest level, the boy has got quality.

"I gave him his debut [at Wadi Degla] when I was coaching him, he's a top talent, a top player.

"It's a great investment for Manchester City, he's the right age now.

I always believe - especially for a striker and attacking players - 26 or 27 is the best age to find a player.

"Because this is the time when you get into your peak of your career, he's a top striker, he can play as a winger as well.

"He's very clever to get into the right movement with the right timing, and I think when the City team gets better and plays better, he will score more goals."

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18th Feb 2025, 22:30By Jack Johnson

Takehiro Tomiyasu is the latest Arsenal star to undergo surgery with the defender seemingly ruled out for the rest of the season.

The 26-year-old's time in north London has been blighted by several injuries since joining from Bologna in 2021.

There has been much confusion surrounding the severity of Tomiyasu's latest issue and whether he would return during the second half of this campaign.

But he has now broken his silence regarding his issue, where he has stated he has gone under the knife in an attempt to end his injury nightmare.

Sharing an image of himself post-surgery on crutches on Instagram, he said: "I’ve had a surgery on my knee few days ago.

"I’ve already started my rehab to do what I love the most again.

"It has been the toughest period in my career for sure and it carries on a bit more but I won’t give up.

"Thank you for your support and see you again."

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18th Feb 2025, 21:55By Jack Johnson

Celtic suffer heartbreak.

Bayern haven't lost a home Champions League game that was goalless at half time since a 0-1 loss to Juventus in November 2004, going unbeaten in 24 such matches since then.

They've never lost at home to a Scottish team at all.

It leaves Milan with ten men for the remainder of their second leg and they still need another goal with the aggregate score at 1-1.

He'll now be suspended for a potential clash with Arsenal in the round of 16 should the Italians progress.

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18th Feb 2025, 18:33By Jack Johnson

AC Milan lead 1-0 at half time in the second leg of their Champions League knockout phase play-off against Feyenoord.

And their goal came after just 36 SECONDS.

It was Milan's earliest in a UCL match since September 2011, when Alexandre Pato scored after 24 seconds against Barcelona.

Santiago Giménez, who headed home the opener, became the first player to both score for and against the same team (excluding own goals) in a single Champions League campaign.

Gimenez moved from Feyenoord to AC Milan last month after already netting in the competition for the Dutch side.
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