Simeone backs Lookman to find form before Atletico face Bayern
- Diego Simeone says he still has faith in Ademola Lookman despite the Nigerian's slow start to the season at Atletico Madrid.
- Lookman has two goals in 14 games this season, and has featured as a substitute in all three Champions League matches.
- Simeone pointed to Julián Álvarez and Antoine Griezmann as players who also fought through poor spells.
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has publicly backed Ademola Lookman, telling the Nigerian forward not to let a difficult start to the season shake his confidence.
Lookman joined Atletico from Atalanta in the winter transfer window and made a strong impression last season, with nine goals and four assists in 24 games across all competitions, according to Daily Post. This season has been harder: he has two goals in 14 appearances, and he is yet to earn a starting place in the Champions League, having featured as a substitute against Liverpool, Manchester United and Stuttgart.
He played just 14 minutes of Atletico's 2-0 win over Levante last Saturday, Complete Sports reported.
What Simeone said
Speaking at a press conference on Monday before Atletico's Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich, Simeone said difficult spells are a normal part of football and pointed to two team-mates who came through similar runs.
"I have a lot of faith in him. I don't want him to get frustrated because he's not going through his best moment, because it's part of life, part of the game, part of football," Simeone said.
He added: "This is work, this is believing in what you do."
According to quotes published by Futbol Fantasy and carried by Daily Post, Simeone noted that Julián Álvarez struggled last year before finding form, and that Antoine Griezmann also came back after a run without goals. The coach said Lookman remains important to Atletico because few of his players win as many one-on-one duels in the final third.
In Europe, Lookman has still shown flashes of his quality, with one goal and one assist in three Champions League appearances this season, Complete Sports reported.
Why it matters for Nigerian fans
Lookman, a former African Footballer of the Year, is one of the Super Eagles' key attackers, and his club form is closely watched at home. A run of regular starts and goals in Spain would be a boost for Nigeria ahead of future international windows.
Simeone's public support suggests the coach is willing to keep giving him chances, but the competition for places at Atletico is fierce. Lookman's next opportunity could come against Bayern Munich, one of the biggest tests in European football.
What happens next: Atletico play Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and Lookman will be hoping for more minutes than the brief run-out he got against Levante.
