Atalanta manager Ivan Juric has once again left Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman out of his squad for their Champions League group opener against defending champions Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.
Ademola Lookman was among five Atalanta players who missed training on Tuesday and will play no part when the Italian side travels to the Parc des Princes. His absence continues a run of exclusions, having already been left out of Atalanta’s first three Serie A matches this season.
It is the fourth time Juric has omitted the Super Eagles star since his failed attempt to secure a move away from the Bergamo club during the summer transfer window. The 28-year-old has not featured for Atalanta since the end of the 2024/25 campaign despite shining for Nigeria during the recent international break.
Juric has been firm in his stance, making it clear he will not plead with the player to commit himself. Atalanta director Luca Percassi echoed the coach’s position in an interview with DAZN Italia.
“I don’t have much to add to what the coach already said. Obviously, we are in total agreement with his comments,” Percassi said. “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 per cent for this jersey and totally concentrated on our cause, because every game is difficult.”
Atalanta are also set to be without Ederson and Gianluca Scamacca, alongside defenders Sead Kolasinac and Mitchel Bakker, all sidelined through injury. Their absence leaves Juric with limited options for a tough away trip against PSG.
Lookman, heavily linked with Inter Milan, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce over the summer, stayed put after Atalanta refused to accept less than €50 million for a permanent deal. With the Turkish transfer window now closed, his only option is to remain in Bergamo at least until January.
Atalanta, who finally secured their first league win of the season with a 4-1 victory over Lecce on Sunday, will hope to carry that momentum into Europe, even without one of their most dangerous attackers.
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