Diego Simeone’s faith in Ademola Lookman appears to be wavering after the Atlético Madrid coach, who had publicly backed the Nigerian to rediscover his best form, left him on the bench throughout their defeat to Barcelona despite having another substitution available.
Simeone had previously urged the forward not to become frustrated by his dip in form, insisting that hard work and belief would help him rediscover his confidence.
“I don’t want him to get frustrated because he’s not going through his best moment. This is work, this is believing in what you do,” the Argentine said.
But his decision to overlook Lookman in the Barcelona encounter has raised questions about whether that confidence is beginning to diminish.According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Simeone made only four substitutions despite Atlético chasing the game, leaving the Nigerian unused even with an additional change available.
The coach kept Julian Alvarez on the pitch for the entire match despite the jeers directed at the forward, while Alexander Sørloth, David Hancko, Johnny Cardoso and Jonathan David were introduced in three separate phases.
David came on in the 78th minute, but Lookman was not considered for the remaining minutes as Atlético sought a way back into the contest.