AFCON 2025
Atalanta manager Ivan Juric has backed the Super Eagles forward to return to scoring goals and providing assists as his drought continues.
The 28-year-old forward has endured a difficult spell in the last five games following his reinstatement to the team.
Lookman was in the starting line-up on Wednesday night and played for over an hour in the goalless draw against Slavia Prague at the Gewiss Stadium.
The forward had three of his shots at goal blocked as he failed to register any attempt towards goal in the tie.
Lookman has now gone without a goal or assist in five matches since Ivan Juric reinstated him into the team after he was initially sidelined after his attempted forced move to Inter Milan during the summer failed.
The Super Eagles forward, who trained separately after trying to secure a move to Inter Milan during the summer, has struggled to replicate his previous exploits for club and country.
However, the Croatian manager believes in Lookman’s talent, and he is confident he will get back to his best soon.
Ivan Juric made his thoughts known in a post-match press conference after the match on Wednesday night.
“I understand the reasoning, but I think we have valuable players,” Juric said as quoted by Tuttoatalanta.
“Besides Scamacca, who can be devastating, we have players like Lookman, Crstoic, and Ademola who often get close to scoring.”
Right now, we’re lacking clarity in the final meters. For example, Ademola is usually devastating between the third and fifth steps, when he gets going at speed, but lately we haven’t been able to exploit him as we know how.
“We need to improve there, with more composure and conviction,” he added.
