Atalanta’s coach, Ivan Juric, has once again decided to leave Ademola Lookman out of his squad for their highly anticipated UEFA Champions League opener against reigning champions PSG on Wednesday night. This marks the fourth time Lookman has been excluded from the coach’s plans this season, despite returning from a strong international break with Nigeria.
Lookman, who has not featured for Atalanta since the end of the 2024/25 season, was left out of the first three Serie A fixtures of the new season. His absence from the Champions League squad, however, comes as no surprise. Juric has made it clear that he will not beg Lookman to play, following the player’s failed attempt to secure a transfer over the summer.
According to reports from Italian media outlet TMW, the 28-year-old will miss yet another crucial match as Atalanta head to the Parc des Princes for a tough challenge against PSG. Despite his impressive performance with Nigeria last week, both Juric and club director Luca Percassi have emphasized that Atalanta requires players who are fully committed and ready to give 100 percent for the team.
In an interview with DAZN Italia, Percassi stated, “We know how important Lookman is for Atalanta, but the club has some very basic principles, which need players who are ready to give 100 percent for this jersey and totally concentrated on our cause, because every game is difficult.”
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Atalanta, who secured their first win of the season last Sunday with a commanding 4-1 victory over Lecce, will be missing several key players for the PSG encounter. Injuries to goalkeeper Ederson, striker Gianluca Scamacca, and defenders Sead Kolasinac and Mitchel Bakker have left the squad depleted.
While Lookman has been a subject of transfer speculation, including interest from Fenerbahce and Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig, Atalanta made it clear during the summer transfer window that they would only let him leave for a permanent transfer fee of €50 million. Inter Milan’s bid, however, fell short of that amount, leaving Lookman stuck at the club until at least January.
The uncertainty surrounding Lookman’s future at Atalanta has only grown as his current status with the club continues to hang in the balance. For now, the Nigerian forward remains on the sidelines, with the only option being to fight for his place in the squad and prove his value to the club.
