Juric: ‘Atalanta performance inexplicable, lack of concentration’

Ivan Juric admits Atalanta’s attitude in a 3-0 home defeat to Sassuolo was ‘inexplicable,’ as there are already reports he could be sacked.

The pressure was already growing on the coach after a run of five consecutive Serie A stalemates, followed by a 1-0 defeat at Udinese.

His situation has become considerably worse following today’s humiliating 3-0 home loss at the hands of newly-promoted Sassuolo, who ran riot at the New Balance Arena with a Domenico Berardi brace and Andrea Pinamonti strike.

“We have had some very good games this season, but they were more open, whereas today Sassuolo sat back and defended very well,” Juric told DAZN Italia.

“We had a great scoring opportunity with Lookman, but overall I got the sense we were lacking focus. We gifted the first goal, it becomes difficult if we do that.”

The controversial midweek Champions League victory away to Olympique Marseille did little to help calm the atmosphere, especially as it saw Juric in an ugly touchline row with Ademola Lookman.

“The Serie A season is not going well, I saw a lack of concentration on the details today. It’s tough, because in those situations, you don’t step up in the key moments,” confessed Juric.

“When I say there is a lack of concentration, I mean the first goal is as obvious as the second for what went wrong there. If you are on your toes, then you can deal with that.

“This performance is inexplicable when you consider the adrenaline rush we got against Marseille. Evidently we didn’t prepare for this match with the right attitude.

“We need to be on our toes more, we cannot just keep gifting such easy goals.”

There are already reports that Juric could be sacked during the break for international duty, with Raffaele Palladino and Thiago Motta potential candidates to take over.

Both are, like Juric, devotees of former Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini.