Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone has publicly backed Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman, saying “I have a lot of faith in him” ahead of the Champions League game against Bayern Munich.
Lookman has two goals and one assist in 14 appearances for Atlético in all competitions this season. In the Champions League he has one goal and one assist in three appearances, as reported by Complete Sports.
His playing time has dropped in recent weeks. He played 14 minutes in Atlético’s 2-0 win over Levante last Saturday.
What Simeone said
Simeone did not want the Nigerian to feel pressure over his dip, according to Complete Sports.
“I don’t want him to get frustrated because he’s not going through his best moment.”
He framed the lull as a normal part of a season, calling it “part of life, part of the game, part of football”, and stressed the work behind a recovery.
“This is work, this is believing in what you do.”
Analysis: Faith is not the same as a starting place
Simeone’s words are a vote of confidence, but they do not say Lookman will start against Bayern. Soccernet has already looked at Simeone’s 4-3-3 plan for Lookman and at whether being hooked at half-time is form or rotation.
The numbers explain the pressure. Two goals in 14 games is a long way from the form that brought him to Madrid, and a big European night is the kind of game where one finish can change the conversation.
If Simeone’s faith turns into minutes against Bayern, Lookman has a chance to start the next stretch of the season on his own terms.
