Ademola Lookman and Ivan Juric arguing on the touchline during Atalanta’s Champions League win over Marseille
Football legend Arrigo Sacchi has stepped into the spotlight to defend Atalanta manager Ivan Juric following his fiery altercation with Ademola Lookman during their dramatic 1–0 Champions League victory over Marseille.
The match, which ended with Lazar Samardzic’s last-minute winner, was overshadowed by a tense moment between Lookman and Juric after the Nigerian was substituted in the second half with the score still level.
As Lookman made his way off the pitch, visibly frustrated, Juric appeared to grab his arm in an exchange that quickly drew attention from staff and cameras alike. While social media erupted in criticism of the coach’s approach, one of football’s greatest tacticians saw things differently.
In his column for La Gazzetta dello Sport, the two-time Champions League-winning AC Milan legend expressed sympathy for Juric, insisting he understood the emotional context behind the confrontation.
“I was sorry to see the argument between him and Lookman after the striker’s substitution,” Sacchi wrote.
“I tried to put myself in Juric’s shoes, and I concluded that I would’ve reacted in that way as well.”
Sacchi emphasized that, in football, discipline and respect are crucial for harmony within a team, adding that a coach’s authority must remain intact even when players disagree with tactical choices.
Sacchi continued:
“Players don’t always understand that the coach always needs to be respected, even if you don’t agree with their decisions.”
The former Italy boss expressed confidence that the matter would soon be settled behind closed doors:
“I hope that this incident will be clarified quickly, and that they draw a line under it for the good of the group.”
Reactions have been mixed. While some supporters agree with Sacchi’s stance that Lookman overreacted, others believe Juric’s physical approach crossed a line.
The incident has reignited conversations about player-coach relationships and how passion, pressure, and respect intertwine in elite football environments.
For Lookman, who has been one of Atalanta’s standout players in recent seasons, the hope is that both parties can move forward in unity as the club continues its impressive Champions League run.
At Sports Market International, we’ll be watching closely — because in modern football, emotions can sometimes score louder than goals.
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