Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has underlined Ademola Lookman’s importance to his side ahead of Sunday’s Madrid derby against Real Madrid, despite the Nigeria forward’s modest start to the season.
Lookman joined Atletico Madrid from Atalanta during the winter transfer window and quickly established himself as a key attacking option.
The 28-year-old scored nine goals and supplied four assists in 24 appearances in all competitions during the second half of last season, performances which helped secure his place in Simeone’s plans for his first full campaign in the Spanish capital.
However, Lookman has had to adapt to a changing role this season.
The departure of Antoine Griezmann and uncertainty surrounding Julian Alvarez have led Simeone to use the Nigerian in a number of attacking positions. Lookman began Atletico’s first two league matches as a centre-forward before moving back to his favoured position on the left wing against Sevilla.
The change brought an immediate response.
Lookman scored his first goal of the campaign as Atletico defeated Sevilla 3-1 on 29 August. Despite that contribution, his overall figures remain limited, with one goal in seven appearances this season and a run of four successive matches without scoring.
Simeone, however, has stressed that Lookman remains an important player as Atletico prepare to face their city rivals.
Speaking at his pre-match news conference, the Argentine manager pointed to the qualities he believes make the former Atalanta player particularly valuable to his team.
“He is a footballer who has a profile that we don’t have much. He is the most decisive in one-on-one situations on the edge of the box,” Simeone said, according to quotes reported by Marca.
The Atletico boss also made clear that Lookman’s contribution will not be judged solely by the amount of time he spends on the pitch against Real Madrid.
“We need him, whether it’s 60, 70 minutes or whatever he plays. He has done us very well since he arrived and although his start to the season is not what he would have wanted, we need him.”
Simeone’s comments come after he acknowledged that using Lookman as a centre-forward at the beginning of the campaign had not been the ideal arrangement.
The Nigerian did not score or provide an assist in Atletico’s opening two league matches while operating in that position. After being restored to the left flank against Sevilla, he found the net as his side secured a 3-1 victory.
Lookman has nevertheless embraced the tactical changes and suggested that being asked to perform in different positions could benefit his development.
“I think it’s a learning process. As you said, trying to learn different positions can certainly enrich my game and make me a more complete player.”
The forward has also indicated that he is focused on understanding Simeone’s demands, including what is expected of him when Atletico have possession and when they are defending.
That willingness to adapt has come as Lookman attempts to build on an impressive first half-season at the club.
His nine goals and four assists after arriving from Atalanta made an immediate impression, but the start of the new campaign has presented a different test as Simeone continues to adjust his attacking options.
For Atletico, Sunday’s derby provides another opportunity for Lookman to influence a major match. Simeone’s comments suggest the manager continues to value the Nigerian’s ability to beat opponents one-on-one, regardless of whether he starts or how long he remains on the pitch.
With Atletico facing Real Madrid, Lookman’s capacity to provide a different attacking threat could again become an important part of Simeone’s plans.
