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Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric has downplayed his heated touchline exchange with Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman during their 1-0 Champions League win over Marseille, calling it a normal reaction in the heat of the moment, Footynaija.com reports.
Lookman, who had seen his goal disallowed for offside shortly before being substituted, reacted angrily when Juric pulled him aside near the technical area. The pair exchanged words before Atalanta’s backroom staff stepped in to separate them.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia after the game, Juric brushed aside the confrontation, saying such incidents were part of football’s emotional intensity.
“It’s the usual thing we’ve been commenting on every Sunday,” Juric said. “It happened with De Bruyne at Napoli. Some players are not happy to be substituted, they don’t react well, and we sort these things out in the locker room.”
Juric was quick to highlight that Lookman’s frustration came from competitiveness rather than disrespect.
“We all know these situations; we’ve all had them as players and coaches. They happen in the heat of the moment. What matters is Atalanta, the club, the team, and the fans. We do what’s good for the team. I understand, I shake it all off, and we move forward.”
The coach praised his side’s resilience after a frustrating night that saw them miss a penalty and have a goal disallowed before Lazar Samardzic’s stunning late strike sealed the win.
“It was a good performance. We were unlucky on the penalty and the disallowed goal, so for once we got some luck at the end,” Juric said. “Samardzic scored a fantastic goal and we are very happy.”
Despite the tense moment, Juric insisted there was no lingering issue and rejected suggestions of inconsistency in Atalanta’s performances.
“I don’t think we’ve lacked anything this season,” he added. “Other than the loss to Udinese, we’ve played really good football, hit the woodwork, and were denied by goalkeeping heroics. I understand that the lack of results can create a negative feeling, but we’ve kept putting in the performances.”
The victory moved Atalanta to seven points from four games, strengthening their hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout stage.
