PSG 4-0 Atalanta: ‘It was not easy’ - Coach who ignored Lookman cries out after humiliation

Atalanta coach Ivan Juric has made an honest confession after PSG’s Champions League thrashing, with fans questioning his call to leave Africa’s finest, Ademola Lookman, at home.

The Serie A club kicked off the 2025/2026 Champions League without their Nigerian superstar and in disappointment following a 4-0 win against defending champions PSG on Wednesday.

Luis Enrique’s men were in a dominant and blistering mood at Parc des Princes, where they overwhelmed a Lookman-less Atalanta side with relative ease.

Goals from Marquinhos, who opened the scoring after a smooth team move in the third minute, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gave the holders a commanding 2-0 lead at the break.

It could have been worse for the visitors but for the brilliance of the Atalanta goalkeeper, Marco Carnesecchi, who kept the scoreline respectable with a series of superb saves before Bradley Barcola missed a penalty.

However, the second half saw PSG match their first half display with two more goals from Nuno Mendes and super-sub Goncalo Ramos, who sealed the win and three points with a delicate late chip.

Nigeria’s Lookman was the notable absentee for Atalanta in the game as the Nigerian remained ostracised from the Atalanta squad after a summer transfer saga that ended with him handing in a transfer request via his Instagram account, but failed to get his desired move.

Following the failed transfer, the 27-year-old has been frozen out of the team by new boss Juric, and ahead of their clash against holders PSG, the club announced their squad without the reigning African Player of the Year.

Despite calls from Juric to his boys to be brave against the defending champions, La Dea were no match for their hosts.

After the game, the former Southampton manager admitted in his press conference that the match against PSG was not an easy one for his team.

“I saw my players compete with them. It was not easy for us, but I saw players, some of the young ones too, that can really compete with them,” he told UEFA.com.

Ivan added that his team started the game positively, but were undone by the second goal from the PSG team he describes as great.

“They’re a really great team, really incredible. We did really well in the first ten minutes, but then it became difficult after we conceded the second. We can’t be too disappointed in ourselves because they’re a really incredible side.”