Juric reacts to touchline clash with Ademola Lookman

Head coach of Italian Serie A side Atalanta, Ivan Juric has given an account on what transpired on the touchline row between him and Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman.

Lookman was seen expressing displeasure when replaced by Yunus Musah in the 75th minute of Atalanta’s 1-0 victory over Olympic Marseille on Wednesday. Juric grabbed the Nigerian winger’s arm before the rest of the staff intervened to calm everyone down before the altercation escalated.

Reacting on the incident on Sky Sport Italia the Atalanta coach assured that the matter will be sorted in the locker room as players are not happy when they get subbed off.

“It’s the usual thing we’ve been commenting on every Sunday, 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.”

Atalanta blocked Lookman move to Inter Milan

He went further to downplay the touchline stating that what mags is the team and the fans as they will all move forward.

“We all know these situations, we’ve all had them as players, as coaches, they happen in the heat of the moment.

“What matters is Atalanta, the club, the team and the fans. We do what is good for the team and I think you need to give your all. I understand, I shake it all off, and we move forward.”

Lookman, who has struggled for form this season, has scored just once in ten appearances across all competitions after starting the campaign late due to transfer issues.

During the summer, the 27-year-old refused to train after Atalanta blocked his move to Inter Milan, despite the Serie A giants offering £32 million. Lookman accused the club of failing to keep their promises over a potential transfer.