Former Nigeria national team head coach Jo Bonfrere believes Diego Simeone’s choice of substitutions played a huge role in Atletico Madrid’s UEFA Champions League semi-final elimination at the hands of Arsenal, Footynaija.com reports.
With his side trailing behind Bukayo Saka’s late first half goal at the Emirates, Simeone turned to his bench in the 57th minute, taking off three players including Ademola Lookman as he sought to inject a bit more physicality into his side.
However, Bonfrere believes that particular decision was the beginning of the end for Atletico Madrid as they evidently struggled against Arsenal’s stoic defense in the absence of Lookman’s pace and trickery.
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“I watched the match. I’m not the Atletico Madrid coach, but when Diego Simeone removed Lookman early in the second half, he took away ‘speed’ from the team,” Bonfrere told Complete Sports.
“Lookman had pace and was effective in one-on-one situations. But when Simeone decided to take him off in the 57th minute and replaced him with players who are more physically gifted, I knew Atletico Madrid would struggle.”
Lookman had been a decisive player for Atleti in the run up to their semi-final tie against the Gunners, netting in the play-offs, round of 16 and quarter-finals against Club Brugge, Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona respectively.
So it came as a huge surprise for many to see Simeone taking off the Nigeria international even when he still looked the likeliest of candidates to produce something against Arsenal’s dogged backline.
The Gunners will now be looking forward to appearing in their first Champions League final in 20 years, while Atletico Madrid, set for another trophyless campaign, will be looking to close out the season strongly.
