Juric downplays Lookman substitution spat after Atalanta’s win over Marseille

Atalanta manager Ivan Juric has moved to calm tensions following a heated touchline exchange with forward Ademola Lookman during the club’s crucial 1-0 Champions League victory over Olympique Marseille on Wednesday night at the Stade Vélodrome.

The match, which ended a month-long winless run in Europe for Atalanta, was decided by a stunning 90th-minute goal from substitute Lazar Samardzic. The dramatic finish brought much-needed relief to Juric’s side, who have been under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks.

Cameras captured the Nigerian forward reacting angrily to being substituted, appearing to reject the manager’s decision in a moment of on-field tension.

Juric, however, was quick to downplay the incident, framing it as a natural byproduct of the emotional intensity that comes with elite level football.

‘These are normal episodes in modern football, they happen every week everywhere,’ he said. ‘Players never willingly accept being taken off, it happens to [Kevin] De Bruyne in Naples, it happens everywhere.’

‘On the pitch, there is adrenaline, there is nervousness, but then everything ends in the locker room. The fundamental thing is to remember that the only thing that counts is Atalanta, the group, the team, and the fans. We all must row in the same direction and respect this jersey. Everything is clarified, and we go forward.’