Atalanta coach confirms Lookman for Torino clash

Atalanta coach, Ivan Juric, has confirmed that Ademola Lookman is back in contention for selection as the club prepare to face Torino in Serie A on Sunday.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Saturday, Juric provided an update on the Nigeria international, who recently rejoined first-team training after a prolonged absence.

“Lookman? He spoke to me, his teammates, and the staff. He was welcomed well and will be available tomorrow [Sunday],” Juric was quoted as saying by Tuttosport.

“He doesn’t have full autonomy yet, given that he trained separately for a long time, but he worked very well this week.”

The reigning African Footballer of the Year had not featured this season for La Dea following a difficult summer that included transfer speculation and disciplinary issues.

His decision to step away from group training raised questions about his future in Bergamo, but recent developments have paved the way for his reintegration.

However, Juric added that they will still need to assess the physical condition of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) silver medallist, after an extended spell away from full sessions.

“We’ll see, he [Lookman] hasn’t trained much with the group. He remains an important player for us, but I’ll evaluate,” he added.
Recall that Atalanta president, Antonio Percassi, tried to calm the tension, confirming Lookman’s reintegration, but warned that commitment must come first.

“We know his technical ability, but to play here you have to be 100 per cent focused. When he’s ready, we’ll welcome him [Lookman] back with open arms,” Percassi had told reporters.

The Nigeria forward’s return comes at a crucial time for the Nerazzurri, who are aiming to bounce back from a 4-0 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain earlier last week.

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