Simeone backs Lookman to discover top form against Man Utd
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has backed Ademola Lookman to discover his top for m against Manchester United on Tuesday in the Champions League.
The Spanish club will welcome Manchester United to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Europe’s Premier competition.
Lookman enjoyed a dream start to his Atletico Madrid career when he joined the club in the January transfer window, but he has found it difficult to replicate the same form this season.
He scored nine goals and provided four assists in 24 appearances across all competitions during the second half of last season.
Simeone has admitted that Lookman is not yet up to speed this season, and he is confident that he will return to top form against the Red Devils.
He said: “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.
“He’s a good dribbler, we need him to be, to lose the ball, to keep trying.
“Each player has their own moment. I don’t think any player is always at their best; there are injuries.”
Lookman has scored just once in all competitions for Atletico Madrid this season, and he will be hoping to hit top form against a struggling Manchester United side.
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Atletico Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in their first Champions League match of the season.
Simeone is expecting a difficult clash against Manchester United despite their poor form in the Premier League.
He concluded: “They apply a lot of pressure in the opposition’s half. They’re very aggressive, play with great intensity, make clever runs to buy time in the first phase of pressing and have quick players.
“We know how difficult this competition is. The [league phase] format challenges you to pick up points, whether at home or away, and we need points just like everyone else who wants to advance.
“The match will be long and we have to manage our efforts to compete well. Balance, both defensively and offensively, has always strengthened us, and when the team works together we achieve great things.”
