Atalanta boss restates point about Lookman after giving Super Eagles star only 3 minutes of action

Ademola Lookman’s long-awaited return for Atalanta came in dramatic fashion, but it lasted just three minutes as Ivan Juric again stressed the Nigerian forward must rebuild trust and fitness after a turbulent summer.

The Super Eagles star, who was frozen out following his failed transfer push to Inter, was finally handed a cameo in the 87th minute during La Dea’s 3-0 win over Torino.

Juric confirmed post-match that Lookman remains far from his best condition and suggested the player was misled during his transfer standoff.

“He spoke to me and the team on Monday, he was surrounded by people who had given him some bad advice. He has a great winning mentality and now we need to get him back in shape physically,” Juric said.

The coach had little choice but to introduce him late on, with Atalanta managing an ongoing injury crisis after fresh knocks to Nicola Zalewski and Isak Hien.

Lookman’s reintroduction was brief but symbolic, a first step in what could be a long road back into Juric’s plans, provided he buys into the team’s vision and restores match sharpness.

Italian pundit Alfredo Pedullà also weighed in on Lookman’s messy summer, insisting the forward had been misguided by his entourage throughout the saga.

Atalanta had rejected Inter’s €45m bid, insisting they would only consider an overseas sale, while Lookman skipped pre-season training and spent time abroad.

Pedullà questioned the player’s professionalism, remarking: “Atalanta pay his salary… so why is he in London convinced someone will come along and liberate him?”

He added that refusing to train “stretched the boundaries” compared to other unsettled players who still respected their clubs.

For now, Juric has underlined that Lookman will only regain a meaningful role once he proves both his fitness and full commitment to the cause.