Ademola and Juric Settle Rift Before Atalanta vs Sassuolo
Atalanta coach Ivan Juric confirmed that his disagreement with Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has been settled ahead of their Serie A clash with Sassuolo.
Pre-Match Press Conference
Speaking at Zingonia on Saturday, Juric explained that Lookman had resumed normal training with the squad following their UEFA Champions League win over Marseille.
"He always works well; that reaction is something that can happen now and then," said Juric, as quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Building Team Cohesion
Juric compared the situation to a previous misunderstanding with goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi earlier this season. He noted that such incidents can strengthen relationships within the team.
"Ademola is unusual; you get over it. And sometimes these incidents help improve relationships: with Carnesecchi, we’ve opened up, and I feel much closer to him now," Juric explained.
Lookman's Performance and Outlook
Juric praised Lookman’s effort in the Marseille game, even though his goal was disallowed before he was substituted.
"He suffered, but in Marseille he played an excellent game, and I hope he continues to rise," noted Juric.
Upcoming International Duty
Lookman, the 2024 African Footballer of the Year, will join the Nigerian Super Eagles training camp after Sunday’s Serie A fixture. He is part of the 24-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff against Gabon in Morocco next week.
Author’s Summary
Juric and Lookman reconciled ahead of Atalanta’s clash with Sassuolo, showing how brief tensions can evolve into stronger team unity before crucial fixtures.