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Ademola Lookman’s turbulent season at Atalanta took another dramatic turn on Wednesday night after the Nigerian forward became embroiled in a heated confrontation with manager Ivan Juric during their 1–0 Champions League win over Marseille.
The flashpoint occurred in the 75th minute when Juric replaced Lookman with Yunus Musah. The substitution, with the score still goalless, appeared to infuriate the 27-year-old, who exchanged words with his coach as he walked past the technical area.
Juric reacted immediately, grabbing Lookman by the arm as the pair traded heated remarks before backroom staff rushed in to separate them. Television cameras captured the incident, which briefly overshadowed Atalanta’s hard-fought victory.
Lazar Samardzic’s 89th-minute goal ultimately sealed the win, but it was the confrontation between player and manager that dominated post-match discussion.
Juric, the former Southampton coach, later dismissed the row as a moment of passion. Speaking to Sky Sport, he said:
"We've all experienced these situations. They happen. It can get a bit exaggerated in the heat of the moment, but what matters is Atalanta, the team, and the fans. We have to behave well and give our all. For me, anything goes. The important thing is to win against Sassuolo. These are things we discuss more or less every Sunday. The players don’t want to come off and don’t accept substitutions. These are somewhat uncoordinated reactions."
The winger’s frustrations have simmered since the summer, when he unsuccessfully tried to secure a transfer to Inter. In a statement posted to social media, he accused Atalanta of breaking promises over a potential move.
Despite the tensions, Lookman remains a vital part of Juric’s squad. Atalanta’s win over Marseille lifted them to 16th in the Champions League league phase standings.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay / jorono
