Atalanta secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Marseille at Stade Vélodrome in the Champions League, thanks to a last-gasp strike from Lazar Samardzic in the 90th minute.
The win, however, was overshadowed by a heated touchline incident involving Atalanta manager Ivan Juric and forward Ademola Lookman.
The incident occurred in the 75th minute during a substitution. Lookman, who had earlier seen a goal ruled out by VAR, was physically pulled forward by Juric as he was being substituted. The unexpected contact sparked an exchange of words between the pair, requiring intervention from teammates to defuse the tension.
No yellow or red cards were issued, but the moment quickly drew criticism from pundits and fans alike, who expressed concern over the manager’s physical approach, especially given Lookman’s key contributions to the team.
Speaking after the match, Juric downplayed the incident, describing it as an “emotional fallout from football” and insisting that it was not intended as aggression. Meanwhile, supporters of both clubs took to social media to debate the clash, highlighting the fine line between passion and inappropriate conduct on the sidelines.
Despite the controversy, Atalanta’s victory leaves them in a strong position in the group stage, with Samardzic’s late strike providing a much-needed boost to their Champions League campaign. The club now turns its focus to upcoming fixtures as they aim to maintain momentum in Europe’s elite competition.
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