Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric has broken his silence after a heated touchline exchange with Nigeria international Ademola Lookman during Wednesday night’s 1–0 Champions League victory over Marseille.
The incident unfolded in the second half when Lookman, who had earlier seen his goal ruled out for offside, reacted angrily after being substituted. As he made his way off the pitch, Juric appeared to grab him by the arm, sparking a brief argument before members of the Atalanta coaching staff stepped in to separate them.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia after the match, Juric insisted the confrontation was a normal reaction from a player frustrated in the heat of competition.
Ademola Lookman was left seething when his Atalanta boss Ivan Juric grabbed him after being subbed off.
“It’s the usual thing that happens in football,” Juric said. “Players don’t always like being substituted, especially when they feel they can make the difference. It’s a reaction that comes from passion and competitiveness.”
Juric added that the matter was settled immediately after the game, stressing that his relationship with Lookman remains professional and positive.
“We talked it through in the dressing room,” he explained. “Lookman is an important player for us. These things happen, we move on and focus on the next match.”
The winger looked stunned and was held back by the coaches.
Lookman has endured a difficult campaign so far, scoring just once in ten appearances across all competitions after starting the season late while attempting to force a move away from the club.
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His clash with Juric adds to a growing list of controversies surrounding the Nigerian forward at Atalanta. In February, former coach Gian Piero Gasperini publicly criticised him after a Champions League defeat to Club Brugge, labelling him “one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen.”
Lookman later described those comments as “deeply disrespectful” in a statement on social media.
During the summer, the 27-year-old refused to train with the team after Atalanta blocked his proposed transfer, despite interest from several clubs, including Inter Milan. Lookman accused the Bergamo side of “broken promises” after the Italian giants’ £32 million offer was rejected.
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Atalanta’s 1–0 win over Marseille secured by a late strike from Lazar Samardzic lifted the Serie A side to seven points from four Champions League group games, boosting their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
