I would’ve reacted the same way – Arrigo Sacchi on Ivan Juric clashing with Lookman

Former Italy manager Arrigo Sacchi has backed Ivan Juric over his heated touchline exchange with Ademola Lookman, insisting he would have responded in a similar manner.

Lookman reacted angrily after being substituted during Atalanta’s Champions League clash with Marseille on Wednesday night.

The forward’s frustration sparked a brief confrontation, with Juric seen pulling him by the arm before members of the coaching staff intervened to defuse the situation.

While Juric has faced criticism for his actions, Sacchi believes the player should have handled the situation more professionally.

“I was sorry to see the argument between him and Lookman after the striker’s substitution,” Sacchi wrote in his La Gazzetta dello Sport column.

“I tried to put myself in Juric’s shows, and I concluded that I would’ve reacted in that way as well. Players don’t always understand that the coach always needs to be respected, even if you don’t agree with their decisions.

“I hope that this incident will be clarified quickly, and that they draw a line under it for the good of the group,” he added.

Atalanta went on to secure a dramatic victory in controversial fashion, with Lazar Samardzic netting a 90th-minute winner on the counterattack.

The goal came moments after Marseille appealed for a handball by Ederson at the opposite end, adding fuel to the post-match debate.