Ademola Lookman was prevented from a possible exchange of blows with coach of Atalanta Ivan Juric after he was subbed off in their 1-0 win over French side Ajax in the UEFA Champions League, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Lookman was subbed off with 15 minutes left to play in the game, and the reigning Africa Player of the Year made his feelings known to Juric, while walking off with the manager not helping matters by trying to drag him off.
Clearly frustrated by having a goal chalked off after a review by the video assistant referee (VAR), Lookman was held from attacking his manager from other backroom staff after he was dragged back by the manager.
In the absence of Lookman, 23 year old Serbian Lazar Samardžić emerged as the hero for the Italian side with what ended as the match winner in the second minute of time added on.
The goal will no doubt simmer the tension between the Nigerian and the head coach largely due to the fact that they got all three points, it will however put more pressure on Atalanta to let go of the Super Eagles star who has reportedly requested to leave the club in the January transfer window.
He went on strike in the summer trying to force a move to league rivals Inter Milan after falling a public fall out with former coach Gian Piero Gasperini, following his penalty miss against Club Brugge.
The manager criticised Lookman after the miss ” “Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty, he is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,” said Italian Gasperini.
“He has a frankly terrible record even in training, he converts very few of them. Retegui and De Ketelaere were there, but Lookman in a moment of enthusiasm after scoring decided to take the ball and that was a gesture I did not appreciate at all.”
Before last night’s Champions League exit, Lookman had a perfect penalty record for Atalanta, scoring all four penalties he had taken”, he said after the game.
On his social media handle, Lookman replied the coach who is now at the helm at Roma . ” “Being singled out in the manner I have been not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful, not least because of the immense hard work and commitment I have always put in each and every day to help bring success to this club and to the incredible fans of Bergamo,” Lookman responded on social media on Wednesday.
The Nigeria international added: “In truth, I have dealt with many difficult moments during my time here – the majority of which I have never spoken about because in my opinion the team must always be protected and must come first.
“This makes what happened last night even more hurtful. Along with our incredible fans, we as a team are hurting too with last night’s result.”
They however made up before the departure of the coach at the end of last season.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
