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$50 MILLION QUESTION: CAN JURIC REBUILD LOOKMAN AFTER FAILED INTER MOVE

After a failed transfer to Inter, Ademola Lookman is back with Atalanta. Coach Ivan Juric hopes the Nigerian forward can now maintain a "positive mentality" and contribute to the squad, especially with Gianluca Scamacca injured.

$50 Million Question: Can Juric Rebuild Lookman After Failed Inter Move
Creator: Marco Luzzani | Credit: Getty Images

After acknowledging that his intended transfer to Inter did not work out, Atalanta coach Ivan Juric hopes Ademola Lookman will be able to "have a positive mentality" moving forward.

The striker disappeared from preseason training in protest after the team rejected Inter's offer of €40 million plus add-ons, believing he was worth at least €50 million.

After a few weeks of what Juric claimed was the incorrect attitude in training, he was progressively restored to the squad when no one else submitted a bid of that magnitude either.

Lookman should be recovering after playing for Nigeria in their World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho.

Lookman's relationship with Atalanta was problematic.

"After working with us for the last two or three weeks, I had no complaints, so I hope he will return from international service with the same mentality," Juric told Sport Mediaset.

"I want to make up for the time we lost during the summer, and it was a terrific attitude, really upbeat." Although he is not yet at his peak, I hope he will exhibit the proper attitude.

Atalanta's attacking options have been weakened by the absence of both Lookman and the injured Italy international Gianluca Scamacca.

"Lookman's African Player of the Year award speaks for itself. He played a position that was different from his typical function for the first time the other day, although he did display some positive traits and lacked only a goal.

Scamacca's injured comeback gives Atalanta an additional boost, as Giorgio Scalvini and Nicola Zalewski are also back to play.

To have two potent centre-forwards, we have a diverse assault, and everyone is waiting for Scamacca to return to his peak. We can do better; it is going good so far," Juric continued.

Taking over after nine years of Gian Piero Gasperini has been difficult since Atalanta was used to a very certain style of play.

It hurts a little since I believe we should have received more points. I should try to make certain changes, but not to the team's equilibrium.

TIRED OR TOUGH? THE CONFLICTING ITALIAN MEDIA REPORTS ON SCOTT MCTOMINAY’S PERFORMANCE

Scott McTominay and Napoli suffer Champions League elimination after a 3-2 home defeat to Chelsea's clinical Joao Pedro.

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Napoli and McTominay crashed out against Chelsea

Scott McTominay had a rough night as Napoli crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday. The reigning Serie A champs missed out on a play-off spot after losing at home to Chelsea.

It was a wild night in the Champions League, and Napoli ended up as one of the biggest letdowns. Even with home advantage against Liam Rosenior's team, they only managed to finish 30th overall. Chelsea, on the other hand, walked away with sixth.

McTominay, along with Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund, couldn’t stop Napoli from falling 3-2 in Naples. Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring, but Napoli hit back before halftime thanks to Antonio Vergara and Hojlund.

But after the break, Joao Pedro bagged a brace and sealed Napoli’s fate. The Italian press didn’t hold back in their reviews of McTominay’s performance.

Il Napolista gave McTominay a 6 out of 10. They liked his grit but pointed out he lost possession a few too many times in midfield. Still, they said he was a threat going forward—enough to give Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez something to worry about. But in the end, it just wasn’t enough for Conte’s side.

Il Messaggero also gave him a 6. They called his first half “average”, even though the game was played at a high level. After halftime, they thought he looked tired and didn’t live up to his usual standards.

Corriere dello Sport was a bit more generous with a 6.5. They praised his fighting spirit—classic Premier League style—and said he gave it everything he had. But as Serie A’s current MVP, expectations are high, and he just couldn’t find the goals Napoli needed.

Essere Partnopei matched that 6.5 rating. They praised his energy and said he was as active as ever, moving the ball well. Still, his efforts couldn’t keep Napoli from being knocked out.

Napoli Magazine skipped the ratings but said McTominay wasn’t at his best. He’s a key player for Conte and stayed committed, but it wasn’t enough to push Napoli into the next round.

"DON'T JUMP SHIP!" — ANTONIO CONTE’S EXPLOSIVE WARNING TO NAPOLI STARS AFTER JUVENTUS ROUT

Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund fail to fire as Juventus crush Napoli 3-0. Discover Conte’s defiant post-match reaction.

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Napoli slip to fourth as title rivals capitalise on defeat

Napoli just fell nine points behind in the Serie A title chase after Scott McTominay and the rest of the squad took a heavy 3-0 loss against Juventus.

The defending champs barely put up a fight at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. Juventus looked sharp, closing the gap with Napoli to just a single point. Right now, Gli Azzurri sit fourth with 43 points, Juventus are right behind on 42, and Inter still lead the pack with 52. If Antonio Conte’s side wants to catch up, they’ve got a lot of work to do.

McTominay played the whole match for Napoli but couldn’t change the game. Frustration was obvious for the visitors. Rasmus Hojlund, on loan from Manchester United, struggled again and didn’t make much of a difference up front. While his parent club edged out Arsenal 3-2 in London, Hojlund missed two decent chances in Turin. He hasn’t scored for Napoli since late December.

Romelu Lukaku finally got back on the pitch after his injury, but with just 12 minutes left, the result was already settled. Juventus were two goals up—Jonathan David bagged the first, Kenan Yildiz added another, and Filip Kostic finished things off near the end with a third.

Napoli are still missing another Scot, Billy Gilmour, and creative midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is out hurt as well. Next up, Chelsea comes to Naples on Wednesday night. Napoli really needs a win to stay in the hunt for a Champions League play-off spot.

Conte faced up to the defeat but made it clear Napoli aren’t about to give up on the Scudetto—even with all these injuries.

Conte didn’t sugarcoat things:

“As long as it was 1-0, it felt close—like we might grab a draw,” he said. “But after their second goal, things opened up, and then they scored a third. Credit to them, but also to my guys. There’s not much to say or criticise. Even here in Turin, they gave everything.

“Sometimes you get past these obstacles, sometimes you don’t. For the first time in my career, I had to bring on a player [Giovane]. I’d never even seen him in training—a kid who just joined us Saturday. That tells you something about what we’re dealing with right now.

“But we’re not quitting. We know the situation, and we’ll keep pushing. It feels like we’re out at sea in a storm, but we’re not bailing. If someone wants to jump ship, fine—they can swim to shore. The rest of us are staying on board, ready to fight with everything we’ve got, whatever comes our way.”

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