Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini on Saturday said he never intended to offend Ademola Lookman by saying the striker is "one of the worst penalty takers he has ever seen" after their home Champions League defeat by Club Brugge.

Atalanta owner Steve Pagliuca weighed on the recent affairs within his side, especially the friction between Ademola Lookman and Gian Piero Gasperini, in a rare interview with La Gazzetta dello

Manager Gian Piero Gasperini remained cautious about Atalanta's Serie A title chances despite their emphatic win at Empoli on Sunday, warning that the club have little margin for error. Third-placed Atalanta enjoyed a 5-0 rout over the Tuscany club to close the gap with leaders Inter Milan to just three points.