Juric on Lookman row and warning on Atalanta record

Ivan Juric explains his touchline row with Ademola Lookman and warns Atalanta ‘are behind schedule’ ahead of their match with Sassuolo.

It kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo on Sunday at 11.30 GMT.

The tension has grown around recent disappointing results, as five consecutive Serie A stalemates then lead into a 1-0 defeat at Udinese.

That was evident off the field too during the Champions League victory away to Olympique Marseille, as when he was substituted, Lookman got into an altercation with Juric on the touchline.

The coach was evidently not happy with a word or gesture and grabbed Lookman by the arm, shouting in his face, before the player was ushered to the bench by members of staff.

“These things happen. You talk and exchange views, you open up, and the rapport becomes better than it was before. Ademola is a particular kind of guy. It’s all sorted, we just move on and shrug it off,” said Juric in today’s press conference when asked about that clash.

Although Atalanta lost only one Serie A match this season, their run of stalemates has seen them drop down the table.

“Fourth place is already eight points away, so we are lagging behind schedule and cannot slow down anymore. We are human, the intensity levels can drop and we can have a bad day against Udinese after a series of very good performances.

“It’s like science for me, with very little time to recover after the Champions League, it is difficult to choose players based on anything other than fatigue. That was a prestigious victory against a team of great talent in an incredible atmosphere, but we must press the reset button and start from scratch tomorrow,” continued Juric.

“Sassuolo combine a high press with Domenico Berardi and dangerous attacking midfielders, plus a low defensive block. I have great respect for Fabio Grosso, and we have to keep an eye out for Josh Doig on the wing.”

As for Atalanta, many of their players are still struggling to fully recover from long-term injuries.

“Gianluca Scamacca has a long process ahead of him, the important thing is that he improves one day at a time.”