Atalanta coach Juric rules out ‘begging’ Lookman to play

Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric has confirmed that Nigeria winger Ademola Lookman will not be involved when they face Lecce in a Serie A fixture at Gewiss Stadium on Sunday.

The Super Eagle is yet to make an appearance for Atalanta this season. Atalanta have so far played two matches, and are winless. Lookman tried to force a move away from Atalanta in the summer, a decision which forced him to train in England, returned to Italy after the club turned down his request to leave.

“Ademola will not be ready for tomorrow (Sunday),” said Juric. “This is an unpleasant, difficult situation. As a coach, what I feel is that we need other things: spirit, fight, humility, work, a sense of belonging.

“On a human level, I want something different; I want a different sense of belonging, and we’ll continue like this.”

He added: “I have a very good relationship with Lookman. But, I shouldn’t have to beg him to play. It works the other way around. We are Atalanta and he represents the city. We need what Atalanta represents: Hard work, humility, these are different values.

“I shouldn’t have to plead to anyone. We’re all convinced that Atalanta needs strong values on a personal level.”

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