Atalanta boss ends feud with Lookman after pushing Super Eagles star

Atalanta coach Ivan Juric has officially drawn a line under his brief feud with Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman, confirming that all is well between them ahead of the team’s Serie A clash against Sassuolo.

The pair made headlines earlier in the week after a touchline altercation during Atalanta’s Champions League win over Marseille, but Juric insists the matter is now “completely behind them.”

Speaking at his pre-match press conference in Zingonia, Juric explained that Lookman has trained normally with the squad and that his reaction during the Marseille game was “something that can happen every now and then.”

He compared the situation to a similar misunderstanding earlier in the season with goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi, which ultimately strengthened their bond.

“Ademola is unusual; you get over it. Sometimes these incidents even help improve relationships,” Juric said.

The coach went on to praise Lookman’s performance in France, noting that despite having a goal disallowed, the Nigerian played “an excellent game” and showed impressive maturity afterwards.

With tensions eased, Lookman is expected to start against Sassuolo as Atalanta push to maintain their top-four ambitions.

The 2024 African Footballer of the Year will then head straight to the Super Eagles’ training camp in Morocco, where Nigeria will face Gabon in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff.

Juric clearly wants the incident to become a distant memory, and for Lookman, it’s another reminder that his focus remains firmly on performing at the highest level for both club and country.