Lookman still searching for his best form, Simeone

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has said that Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman is having a hard time finding his best form. He believes Lookman is putting in the effort to get back to his sharpness before their UEFA Champions League match against Manchester United, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

"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 told reporters at his pre-match press conference, according to Spanish sports daily AS.

The Argentine coach encouraged Lookman to stay confident in his skills. He also urged him to keep taking risks on the field, even with the challenges he is facing.

"He’s a good dribbler, we need him to be, to lose the ball, to keep trying," Simeone added.

Lookman's Recent Performance

Lookman’s current struggles show a drop from the impressive form he had after joining Atletico from Atalanta in Italy. The Nigerian international scored nine goals and provided four assists in 24 games across all competitions during the second half of last season.

This season, the 28-year-old has only scored one goal in nine matches. This is far from the impact he had when he first arrived in Madrid.

Simeone pointed out that players go through different stages in their careers. He noted that no player can keep the same level of performance for the entire season.

"Each player has their own moment. I don’t think any player is always at their best; there are injuries," the Atletico manager said.

Upcoming Matches

Lookman also came off the bench in Atletico’s 2-1 loss to Liverpool in their Champions League opener at Anfield on September 9. He entered the game in the 59th minute as the Spanish team began their European campaign with a defeat.

Atletico will host Manchester United on Tuesday. Simeone’s team is looking to bounce back after their opening loss. Lookman will be hoping to find his best form again and play a bigger role as the club aims to improve its standing in the competition.