Lookman, Julian Alvarez lauded by Diego Simeone despite Atletico’s 0-1 loss to Real Betis

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has praised Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman alongside Julian Alvarez despite his side’s 0-1 loss to Real Betis last night, Afrik Foot reports.

Lookman joined Atletico in the early days of February and immediately got off to a flying start, scoring and setting up another on his debut against Real Betis in the Copa del Rey, even drawing praise from Simeone.

However, the same opponents turned a tough nut to crack three days later at the Wanda Metroplitano.

Lookman had a goal disallowed for offside before another of Atleti’s goals was ruled out. Meanwhile, ex-Manchester United winger Antony put Betis in front and hit the ‘calma’ celebration.

The former Atalanta attacker was given a yellow card before he was taken off in the 70th minute. Atletico lost, and Las Rojiblancos are now 13 points behind league leaders Barcelona.

Diego Simeone lauds Lookman and Julian Alvarez

The Argentine head coach took responsibility for his team’s loss, but credited Lookman and Alvarez for trying to create despite Betis’ strong defence.

“The team is suffering from this situation. It has happened to us not only today, but in many games when we face opponents who sit deep,” the former Inter Milan midfielder said in quotes revealed by Into the Calderon.

“We lack clarity for the team; it is our fault as the coaching staff that we cannot improve this,” he continued.

“But we will work to give the team the tools so that the players can solve it individually.

“The opposition played better than us, defended very well, and didn’t allow us to create many chances except for those by Julián and Lookman in the first half.

“They defended well, counterattacked, worked as a team and took advantage of the spaces. We congratulate the opposition.

Quizzed about the disallowed goals, the Atletico boss played it down, stating the decisions didn’t affect the outcome of the game.

“I’m not interested in that situation. The match wasn’t good, and I don’t think (the VAR intervention) was decisive.

“If we had drawn, we would be talking about the match in the same way. Today it went against us, maybe tomorrow it will go in our favour.

“I’m not a footballer. They’re the ones playing, and they’re probably the ones who can best interpret this.

“We couldn’t break down a very organised, disciplined defence. They worked very well defensively.

“I don’t think it was a lack of will, work or running. We lacked clarity in finding a way to break down a defence like Betis’, which worked very well.

“We didn’t have any scoring opportunities, plain and simple. The opponent defended very well, counterattacked, and we didn’t create any opportunities or play clearly in the final stretch,” Diego Simeone concluded.

Up next for the 2014 La Liga winners is the Copa del Rey semi-final clash against Barcelona on Thursday