Ivan Juric for Southampton (Photo Image: Imago)
Coach Ivan Juric called out Ademola Lookman before and after Atalanta’s 4-1 bashing of Lecce on Sunday….
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman is expected to miss Atalanta’s UEFA Champions League opener against PSG on Wednesday, Soccernet.ng reports.
After a long standoff with Atalanta during the summer transfer window, Lookman was forced to stay at the club. However, things are yet to be settled between the Super Eagles star and the club.
Lookman was on strike for most of the summer, but he returned to the club the week before the Serie A season kicked off.
But since then, he has not participated in any game. He has been training separately from the rest of his teammates.
Last weekend, there were speculations that he would be part of the squad for their game against Lecce, as Atalanta have been trying to fix the fractured relationship. But it didn’t later happen.
Before that game, Atalanta coach Ivan Juric openly criticized Lookman’s attitude and questioned his commitment. Even after thrashing Lecce 4-1, the Croatian tactician still did the same thing.
Why Ademola Lookman Will Not Feature Against PSG
Atalanta’s next game is against PSG on Wednesday, but it appears that they are yet to solve the Ademola Lookman debacle. According to Italian football expert Alfredo Pedulla, Lookman’s return is still uncertain.
The 27-year-old Super Eagles winger is still devastated with the club’s decision to keep him against his will in the summer and doesn’t have his heart in Bergamo anymore.
Pedulla also stressed that it may take a while before Lookman starts playing for Atalanta again.
Nonetheless, that decision will have to come quickly, as Lookman knows that his inactivity at club level could surely cost him his place in Nigeria’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Lookman will have to bounce back sooner, rather than later.