Juric: ‘Atalanta dominated AC Milan, had triple the intensity levels’

Ivan Juric believes Atalanta ‘had triple the intensity of Milan and dominated throughout,’ so were left with more regrets after yet another stalemate.

Samuele Ricci had given Milan the early lead in Bergamo with a deflected strike, until Ademola Lookman blasted into the roof of the net for his first goal since the summer transfer drama.

Davide Zappacosta had the best opportunity to win the game late on, his effort denied by a flying Mike Maignan fingertip save.

“I think Atalanta had triple the intensity of Milan. We dominated throughout, they had one shot early on and aside from a 10-minute spell in the second half, there was only one team trying to win the game,” Juric told DAZN Italia.

“The lads once again put in a great performance, I’ve never seen the wrong attitude from this team and they deserve more points, but if we keep going like this, then the results will arrive.”

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The problem is evidently converting chances, because once again Atalanta had 17 shots on goal, but only scored once.

“I think we did very well both winning the ball back and creating chances in transition, but also keeping calm moving the ball around when inevitably Allegri’s teams sit deep. It’s really disappointing we aren’t picking up more points, because we deserve them.

“I remain convinced we will break through and get those results.”

Juric had said in the build-up to this game that Atalanta would’ve been in a better position if Lookman had been able to go through a normal pre-season, as he is only now getting back to full fitness.

“I think we pushed him to play more than perhaps he should’ve done in these games because we wanted him to achieve match fitness,” explained the coach.

“He is a particular type of guy, but in training and on the pitch, he is a sight to behold, just a spectacular player. A winner, with incredible determination, and I am very happy for him. We were only talking yesterday he said if he trains like this, the goal will come, and today he scored a great goal.”

There was a setback in the opening stages too, as captain Marten de Roon limped off with a muscular issue, replaced by Marco Brescianini.

La Dea extended their unbeaten record for the season to the opening nine rounds, but only two of those were victories, as this was their fifth consecutive stalemate.

“We almost have everyone back now, so the team is becoming really competitive. We dominated games against Lazio and Milan, but didn’t win for various reasons, so hopefully we can become more clinical in attack and with these characteristics I am certain we will do well.”

Gianluca Scamacca and Nikola Krstovic were left on the bench throughout, so was that a tactical decision or based on fitness?

“It was a technical decision based on what I saw in training,” replied Juric.