A heated sideline confrontation took the spotlight as Atalanta claimed a 1-0 victory against Olympique de Marseille in the UEFA Champions League League Phase on Wednesday night.
The match itself was a cagey, low-scoring affair defined by wasted opportunities on both sides.
Atalanta squandered a golden chance in the first half when Charles De Ketelaere’s penalty was saved by the Marseille goalkeeper.
Ademola Lookman’s potential opener was later ruled out for offside in the buildup, while the hosts created several clear-cut chances only to be denied by Atalanta’s shot-stopper.
The breakthrough arrived in the 90th minute via a controversial counterattack.
Lazar Samardzic slotted home the winner after Ederson appeared to handle the ball in his own box moments earlier — a decision that left Marseille players and staff incensed.
The late strike proved decisive, handing Atalanta vital points to bolster their European campaign amid a challenging Serie A season.
However, tensions boiled over in the 75th minute with the score still deadlocked at 0-0.
Ivan Jurić opted to substitute Lookman, who had been Atalanta’s most dangerous attacker on the night.
As Lookman trudged off, visibly frustrated, he muttered words toward his manager, prompting an explosive reaction from the Croatian coach.
Viral footage captured Jurić grabbing Lookman by the arm in an attempt to confront him, nearly sparking a physical altercation.
Lookman pushed back briefly before being restrained by Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi and teammate Marten de Roon on the bench.
The exchange lasted several seconds and required swift intervention to prevent escalation.
Despite the drama, the Atalanta bench applauded Lookman as he departed.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Jurić dismissed the spat as a “normal episode” in the high-pressure world of elite football.
“Some players are not happy to be substituted, they don’t react well, and we sort these things out in the locker room,” he said.
Drawing parallels to Antonio Conte’s past clashes with Kevin De Bruyne at Napoli, Jurić insisted there was “no issue” between him and Lookman.
The manager praised his team’s resilience and credited the win to a blend of luck and determination.
Juric also acknowledged Lookman’s strong performance and work rate, noting that such reactions are understandable but must be handled internally.
The incident adds to the simmering frustrations surrounding Lookman at the Bergamo club.
Since joining from RB Leipzig in 2022, the forward has notched 53 goals in 127 appearances.
However, he publicly pushed for a transfer in the summer of 2025 amid interest from Inter Milan, only for Atalanta to block any move.
This reportedly strained relations with the hierarchy, including former boss Gian Piero Gasperini, who once criticized Lookman’s penalty-taking abilities.
Lookman’s form has dipped this season, with just one goal in nine outings across all competitions.
Meanwhile, former Watford striker, Troy Deeney weighed in on the controversy during a podcast appearance.
“When you physically put your hands on somebody… me and you are not going to have a conversation again,” Deeney stated.
Atalanta will hope to channel this win into momentum as they navigate domestic struggles and Champions League ambitions.
The Serie A side will host Sassuolo in their next league fixture at the New Balance Arena on Sunday.
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