Atletico's boss admits the Nigerian winger is below his best but insists his work rate and dribbling edge still matter ahead of the Man United clash.
Ademola Lookman is under the spotlight as Atletico Madrid get ready for a Champions League showdown with Manchester United on Tuesday, October 13th. The Nigerian winger has one goal in nine appearances this season, and Diego Simeone has now addressed those numbers publicly.
Speaking before the game, the Atletico boss did not pretend all is well. He accepted that Lookman is not playing at the standard the player wants for himself or the one the club expects. But Simeone framed it as part of football's natural ups and downs, noting that no player holds the same level all the time.
The coach also stressed Lookman's attitude, saying the Super Eagle puts in the work every single day. Simeone pointed to the winger's style as part of the picture. As a dribbler, Lookman will sometimes lose possession, and that is the price of the risks that make him dangerous.
Simeone also mentioned Baena, who he says has grown in confidence and self-belief after a tough campaign, and said Atletico must make the most of that momentum. With United waiting in the Champions League, Lookman now has a big stage to turn the faith of his manager into a performance.
