IVAN JURIC ENDS FEUD WITH LOOKMAN, ATALANTA BOSS MOVES FORWARD
Lookman-Juric Row Settled! Atalanta coach Ivan Juric confirms the dispute with Nigerian international Ademola Lookman is in the past, saying the confrontation helped improve their relationship. Full details on the dressing room dynamics here.
Atalanta boss Ivan Juric finally mends relationship with Lookman - COURTESY/PHOTO
Ivan Juric, the manager of Atalanta, claims that his argument with forward Ademola Lookman, which erupted following the team's Champions League triumph over Marseille, is now firmly behind them and has even improved their bond.
The Nigerian international had a goal disallowed for offside during the team's thrilling victory at the Velodrome, and the fervent Croatian manager spoke about the situation before the team's Serie A match against Sassuolo.
Juric affirmed that the player has been fully reintegrated into the team and that the issue has been resolved.
"Lookman exercised routinely with the team on Friday, and the Marseille situation is closed," Juric told the media, as reported by Gazzetta dello Sport.
The manager went on to explain the nature of the argument, stating that such outbursts of rage are a typical aspect of the game and can occasionally result in a stronger bond between the coach and the player.
Juric clarified, "That reaction is something that can happen rarely; he always works well." We move past Ademola's particularity. Additionally, these incidents might occasionally strengthen bonds between people.
Juric used a comparable circumstance involving one of his other players, goalie Marco Carnesecchi, to support his argument, suggesting that a first disagreement had resulted in improved communication.
"I feel him a lot closer today, and we opened up with Carnesecchi in a similar way," he continued.
Juric is now concentrating on turning the team's success in Europe into wins at home, emphasising the necessity of quick points to move up the league standings. Now that the issue is resolved, Lookman is anticipated to be a vital member of Atalanta's offensive squad as they compete for a Champions League berth.
MANCHESTER UNITED ACE TIPPED BY SCOTT MCTOMINAY FOR NAPOLI MOVE
Scott McTominay urges Napoli boss Antonio Conte to sign Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United. The Scottish midfielder, thriving in Serie A, believes his former teammate would be a perfect fit for the Italian champions.
McTominay says Man Utd's Kobbie Mainoo ‘fits straight in’ Napoli - Photo Credit: Getty Images
Antonio Conte, the manager of Napoli, has been asked by Scott McTominay to follow up on reports of interest in Kobbie Mainoo next month. Rasmus Hojlund and Romelu Lukaku are also making an impression for the reigning Serie A champions, and McTominay is one of several former Manchester United exiles who are currently thriving in Naples. Since joining the Italian team last summer, the Scottish midfielder has been crucial.
Since departing United, McTominay has prospered.
The 28-year-old's crucial contribution to Napoli's championship victory under Conte last season earned him the title of Serie A MVP. Other former Manchester United players have drawn attention to Conte's team, and McTominay has adapted to Italian football like a duck to water.
Lukaku, who played for United for two years, was also a vital member of the Partenopei last season, helping Napoli defeat Inter with 14 goals and 10 assists. Since the Dane returned to Serie A on a season-long loan, Hojlund has had the opportunity to thrive in Italy, but the Belgian has not yet played for Napoli this season.
And as Conte's team tries to win the title again, McTominay thinks Napoli should make a move for Kobbie Mainoo in the New Year. This season, Mainoo has only played 138 minutes in the league, and his only start occurred during the EFL Cup loss to Grimsby in August.
"He would fit right in." Mainoo, who was injured and missed United's 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Saturday, had planned to transfer away from Old Trafford in the summer to get regular playing time during a World Cup year. The 20-year-old has not played for England since joining as a substitute against Ireland in the UEFA Nations League last September, but United rejected the player's request to leave earlier this year due to the club's inability to acquire a midfield player, even though there were rumours that they were interested in Carlos Baleba.
With players like Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, and Baleba on the club's radar, United is anticipated to add a new midfield player in January. Mainoo would probably go to make room for a new player in the middle of the park. Additionally, a source close to McTominay has instructed Conte to sign Mainoo in the upcoming year, according to SunSport.
"Scott told Conte to grab Kobbie after seeing him. He has informed him all about his greatness as a player and his strengths. Whether on loan or a permanent basis, he believes he would be a fantastic addition to the team because he knows everything about him from his time at United.
"Having been in the academy since he was a young lad, Bobbie has been raised properly at United. He would contribute immediately and help Napoli.
Over the summer, Napoli acquired a central midfield player from the Premier League when Kevin De Bruyne left Manchester City for Italy. Despite having an instant influence on Conte's team, the seasoned Belgian is not expected to play again this season.
The reason for this is that following his penalty kick in Napoli's 3-1 victory over championship rivals Inter last month, De Bruyne sustained a thigh injury. Since joining Napoli in the summer, the 34-year-old has scored four goals in the league.
Given that Mainoo is already a known target for the Serie A powerhouses, De Bruyne's injury is probably going to compel Napoli to enter the market in January.
On Sunday afternoon, Napoli will play Bologna at the Renato Dall'Ara in an attempt to retake the top spot in Serie A. On Saturday night, AC Milan blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Parma, dropping Conte's team to second place in Italy's top division.
In another extremely close Serie A title race, Roma hosts Udinese and Inter hosts Lazio at San Siro on Sunday. Before the year's last international break, the top four are, in fact, only one point apart.
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN’S DOUBLE INSPIRES COMEBACK AS ATLETICO DEFEAT LEVANTE 3-1
Atlético Madrid legend Antoine Griezmann came off the bench to score two quick goals (202 & 203) in a 3-1 win over Levante. See how the super-sub's vintage scoring form put Diego Simeone's side back in the title race!
Antoine Griezmann of Atletico de Madrid scored a brace during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico de Madrid and Levante - Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
Atletico Madrid defeated Levante 3-1 in the Spanish League on Saturday thanks to two goals from Antoine Griezmann, who displayed his classic scoring form.
In the 61st minute, Atletico's all-time top scorer entered the game and took just a few seconds to score the game-winning goal. With ten minutes left, he added another to complete the victory.
Griezmann, who is 34 years old and plays a smaller part for Diego Simeone's team but still contributes with his playmaking and goals, scored goals Nos. 202 and 203 at Atletico.
Griezmann's 174th club goal in January 2024 made him Atletico's best scorer. This season, he has scored five goals, including in a historic 5-2 thumping of Real Madrid.
Adrián de la Fuente's own goal in the 12th minute gave Atletico the lead over Levante, and Manu Sánchez's header in the 21st minute tied the score for the visitors.
When Simeone sent Griezmann on, he made an immediate impression. He was in a position to scramble in a rebound to seal the victory after first racing forward to drive in a low cross from Marcos Lorrente.
He stated, "We all have to be ready to go because the teams that go far have a good reserve." "All players want to play, so I would like to play more, but I accept it and try my best to support my teammates."
With the victory, Atletico moved even with Barcelona on the standings, five points behind leader Real Madrid.