Boluwatife Kehinde
Atalanta boss Ivan Juric has dismissed concerns over a brief altercation with Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman, saying the matter will be handled privately within the squad.
The 28-year-old Lookman appeared visibly upset after being substituted in the second half of Atalanta’s 1–0 UEFA Champions League victory over Olympique Marseille on Wednesday night.
The situation briefly escalated when Juric grabbed the player’s arm, leading to a heated exchange before teammates and staff intervened to calm Lookman down.
Although Lookman did not speak publicly after the match, Juric addressed the incident during his post-match press conference, describing it as a normal emotional reaction in football.
“It’s something that happens all the time,” Juric said. “We saw it with De Bruyne at Napoli — players don’t always take substitutions well. These things happen in the heat of the moment, and we deal with them in the dressing room.”
He added, “Everyone involved in football understands these situations. What’s most important is Atalanta — the club, the team, and the fans. We always do what’s best for the group. Emotions run high, but I understand, we move on, and we stay united.”
Lookman, who reportedly sought a move away from the club last summer, has struggled to replicate his top form this season but remains a key figure in Juric’s squad.
Atalanta coach downplays touchline dispute with Nigerian winger Lookman
