Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has shed light on his decision to start Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman on the substitutes bench in Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League win over Club Brugge, Footynaija.com reports.
Lookman has enjoyed strong form at the Spanish capital since joining Atletico Madrid from Italian Serie A outfit Atalanta during the winter transfer window.
Before Tuesday’s clash at The Wanda Metropolitano, Lookman had five goal contributions (4G, 1A) to his name, including one goal in that thrilling 3-3 draw against Brugge in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie.
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So it came as a surprise to many to see the Nigeria international named on the substitutes bench for last night’s encounter. But Simeone explained after the game that his decision was purely based on tactical reasons.
“Because he didn’t play. Because Sorloth played,” the experienced Argentine coach told Eldesmarque.
On whether Lookman’s omission had anything to do with his defensive capabilities, Simeone explained further; “He’ll improve that with time; his characteristics are purely offensive.
“Julián was going to work with the team because he knows us better. There are no big names. There are players. The game lasts 90 minutes. That’s when we saw Griezmann come on in his thirties.”
Simeone introduced Lookman into the game in the 70th minute and it took the Super Eagles forward just six minutes to make an impact as he supplied an assist for Alexander Sorloth’s second and Atleti’s third of the game.
Sorloth, who had initially opened the scoring in the first half, eventually grabbed his third goal in the 87th minute to complete an impressive hat-trick and seal an aggregate victory that guaranteed Atletico Madrid’s progression to the Round of 16.
