Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has admitted that Ademola Lookman is struggling to rediscover his best form ahead of his side's UEFA Champions League clash with Manchester United.
The former African Footballer of the Year made an immediate impact in the second half of last season after joining Atletico from Atalanta, recording nine goals and four assists in 24 appearances across all competitions.
However, Lookman has struggled to replicate those performances this season, scoring just once in nine matches.
With the exception of Atletico's opening-day La Liga win over Malaga, the Nigeria international has yet to complete 90 minutes in any match this season.
Lookman's current form was one of the topics discussed at the pre-match press conference, with Simeone acknowledging that the forward has yet to reach the level expected of him.
In quotes relayed by Spanish sports daily AS, Simeone told reporters: "Each player has their own moment. I don't think any player is always at their best; there are injuries.
"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."
Lookman made a substitute appearance in Atletico Madrid's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in their Champions League opener on September 9.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Discussions (0)