Ademola Lookman featured in Nigeria's 2-1 win over Lesotho, but a yellow card saw him suspended for the game against Benin Republic…
Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric has thrown his weight behind Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman, urging him to hit his best soon, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 27-year-old absconded from pre-season training in a bid to force a move to Inter Milan, who were interested in the former Everton winger.
However, Atalanta maintained their stance, adamant they wouldn't sell the England-born Nigerian to another Italian team.
Due to the absence from training, Lookman's fitness levels suffered a dip, and he's yet to hit peak physical form.
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He missed Atalanta's games against Paris Saint-Germain and Lecce before he was introduced in the game against Torino three minutes before the 90.
He played 73 games for Nigeria over the September International break, but missed the big spectacle against the Republic of Benin.
Atalanta coach backs Lookman
While he's still working his way up to full fitness, Ivan Juric has thrown his weight of support behind Lookman after hoping that the forward will have a positive attitude towards things at the Gewiss Stadium. He's now confident the CAF Player of the Year will come good in due course.
“We are working a lot on the goal of improving in the penalty area,” the Croatian gaffer said in the pre-match conference ahead of Atalanta's clash against Lazio in quotes revealed by Sportal Italy.
“We have to get more cynical in the goal zone, and in that sense, I see improvement, also by Sulemana.
“Then it will be important to understand the conditions of Lookman and De Ketelaere after the last workouts. They are, in any case, very special and I am extremely confident about their recovery at full capacity.”
“My priority is that he goes back to his level. Because before the injury, he was a player of great intensity, and I want to see him again like that, in his best version.
“We have a lot of room for improvement ahead, and it also applies to Sulemana. I am convinced that this Atalanta will still grow significantly,” the former Southampton coach concluded.
