Ademola Lookman: Simeone hands Nigerian key demand ahead of Bayern clash

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has received a word of encouragement from coach Diego Simeone ahead of Atletico’s Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.

The Nigerian has endured a frustrating start to the 2026-27 campaign, scoring just two goals in 14 games.

The Nigerian made instant impact during the second half of last season, scoring nine goals and providing four assists in 24 appearances as Atlético reached the Copa del Rey final and Champions League semi-finals.

However, his first full season in Madrid has been less convincing, with Simeone having to manage his poor performances and search for the best way to get the forward involved in matches.

The Atlético manager has not hidden his disappointment with Lookman’s current level, taking him off at half-time in several La Liga games, but his latest comments suggest that he is more concerned about the winger losing confidence than making mistakes while trying to influence games.

Simeone’s message to Ademola Lookman before Bayern clash

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League encounter with Bayern Munich, Simeone acknowledged the struggles of the 2024 CAF Player of the Year.

The Argentine, however, pointed to the experiences of Julián Álvarez and Antoine Griezmann to explain why the Nigerian should remain patient.

“I don’t know if you’ve spoken to him personally, or if he’s playing somewhere he doesn’t want to be,” the Atletico Madrid head coach said in quotes revealed by Futbol Fantasy.

“To be honest, I think his season didn’t start quite as he’d have liked, but then again, Julián went through a difficult spell last year and came out the other side, and Griezmann, remember, there was a time when he wasn’t scoring and he came out the other side too.

“It’s all about hard work and believing in what you do. We believe, as I’ve been saying in almost every press conference regarding Lookman, in how important he is to us, because he’s one of the players who wins the most one-on-one duels in the final third, where, obviously, goals can be scored. And I have a lot of faith in him.”

Both Álvarez and Griezmann have experienced periods when their numbers fell below expectations, but Atlético continued to trust their quality until they found their rhythm again.

The coach believes Lookman can follow the same path, especially since his ability to beat defenders remains an important weapon in Atlético’s style of play.

Why Simeone does not want Lookman to lose confidence

The 56-year-old also warned against allowing the difficult period to affect the Nigerian’s approach to football.

“I don’t want him to get caught up in that sense of frustration just because he’s not going through his best spell, because that’s part of life, part of the game, part of football, and there are times you just have to see them through until one day he starts scoring goals, starts playing better, starts providing assists, and starts feeling more alive.

“Just as players naturally feel when the goals come, when they provide assists, and so on.

“Let’s hope that’s the path he can see for himself.”

The former Inter Milan midfielder doesn’t want Lookman to become hesitant or abandon the direct approach that makes him dangerous simply because his recent performances have not produced the desired results.

The former Atalanta winger’s ability to take on opponents and create opportunities in the final third is precisely why Atlético continue to value him.

The Bayern match offers another opportunity for Lookman to respond, considering he loves to score against big teams.

For now, Lookman must keep his head down, continue working, and back himself to regain the form that saw him rank 14th in the Ballon d’Or a few years ago.