Ivan Juric rules out Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta return against Lecce

Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric has ruled out Ademola Lookman’s return to action this weekend, confirming the Nigeria international will not feature in Sunday’s Serie A clash with Lecce.

Lookman, who has not played for the Bergamo side since the end of the 2024/25 campaign, pushed for a summer move to Inter Milan.

The Nerazzurri tabled a €45 million offer, but Atalanta turned it down.

Reports earlier in the week suggested Juric was open to recalling the forward if he impressed in training before the Lecce fixture.

However, the coach adopted a firm stance during his pre-match press conference.

“Ademola will not be ready for tomorrow,” Juric confirmed (via TMW).

“A truly unpleasant and difficult situation,” he continued. “As a coach, I felt that we needed other things: Spirit, humility, passion for the shirt. We need to do better and also take responsibility. You need a sense of belonging.”

Lookman’s absence means Juric will once again rely on alternative attacking options as Atalanta look to build momentum in the early weeks of the Serie A season.