Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has urged Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman to keep taking on defenders and attempting dribbles as he works to rediscover his best form, Trybal News reports.
Speaking ahead of Atletico’s UEFA Champions League clash with Manchester United, Simeone acknowledged that the Nigerian international has struggled to reproduce the performances that made an immediate impact following his arrival from Atalanta.
According to Spanish publication AS, Simeone said Lookman was not yet performing at the level expected of him but remained committed to improving in training.
Lookman isn’t playing the way he wants to be and we want to see him, but he works every day trying to get back to that form,” Simeone said.
He’s a good dribbler, we need him to be, to lose the ball, to keep trying.”
Lookman enjoyed an impressive end to last season, recording nine goals and four assists in 24 appearances across all competitions after joining the Spanish side from Atalanta.
However, the 28-year-old has managed just one goal in nine appearances this season and is yet to complete 90 minutes in a match since Atletico’s opening game against Malaga.
The forward also came off the bench in Atletico’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in their Champions League opener on September 9.
Despite his recent struggles, Simeone’s comments suggest that Atletico remain keen for Lookman to retain his attacking confidence, take on opponents and continue trying to make things happen as he searches for his best form.
