Atletico Madrid boss explains why Lookman was taken off at half-time vs Real Oviedo

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has explained why Ademola Lookman was taken off in his side’s slender win over Real Oviedo at the weekend, Afrik Foot reports.

The 28-year-old left Atalanta to join Los Rojiblancos during the winter transfer window, and while he’s been in great form for them, he’s not been a constant figure in the starting lineup.

Lookman has yet to play 90 minutes for the 2014 La Liga winner. He’s made six starts, barely going beyond the seventy-minute mark in those games.

Against Real Oviedo, the 2024 CAF Player of the Year was taken off at half-time, replaced by the eventual matchwinner Julian Alvarez.

Ademola Lookman of Atlético Madrid. Photo by IMAGO

Atletico boss Simeone explains Lookman’s inconsistent gametime

Atletico’s win against Real Oviedo took them to third place on the La Liga table, but the Argentine Manager Simeone revealed he took Lookman off to saturate minutes around the attacker in his team.

“Firstly, it’s very good for the team. Because in the second half, we improved on what we did in the first,” the former Inter Milan midfielder said in quotes revealed by Into the Calderon.

“We controlled the game more, played more in the opposition’s half, had a goal disallowed by a whisker (despite) Baena’s fine finish and Griezmann’s great pass.

“Without a doubt, Julián’s goal makes me happy for him, too. Winning 1-0 with a goal from a striker, whether it’s Sørloth, Griezmann, Lookman or Julián, is different for them and it makes me very happy.”

“A goal is always an incentive for strikers. He’s a very important player, recognised worldwide, wanted by lots of teams, but we have him, and hopefully he can give us everything he’s got, because he’s a fantastic footballer,” the 55-year-old concluded.