Diego Simeone backs Ademola Lookman to overcome Atletico Madrid struggles amid dwindling playing time

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has thrown his support behind Ademola Lookman, urging the Nigerian forward not to lose confidence as he battles to rediscover his best form at the Spanish club.

The 28-year-old has endured a difficult spell in recent weeks, with his influence diminishing and opportunities becoming increasingly limited since joining the Rojiblancos.

Lookman was restricted to just 14 minutes of action in Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Levante on Saturday, further highlighting his struggle for regular playing time as the season progresses.

His reduced involvement comes after an impressive previous campaign, which raised expectations about the Nigerian’s contribution to Simeone’s attacking options.

However, the Atletico manager remains convinced that Lookman has the quality to turn his situation around and has urged him to approach the challenging period with patience, hard work and belief.

Speaking ahead of Atletico Madrid’s UEFA Champions League encounter against Bayern Munich, Simeone acknowledged the forward’s difficult moment but insisted that such experiences are an inevitable part of a footballer’s career.

“I have a lot of faith in him. I don’t want him to get frustrated because he’s not going through his best moment, because it’s part of life, part of the game, part of football,” Simeone told reporters.

“This is work, this is believing in what you do.”

Simeone urges Lookman to remain patient

Lookman’s diminishing playing time has become a concern for the Nigerian international, who will be eager to regain his place and make a stronger contribution to Atletico’s campaign.

His appearance against Levante offered little opportunity to influence the contest, with Simeone introducing him for only the closing 14 minutes of the encounter.

Despite the circumstances, the Argentine coach has made it clear that he still believes in the forward’s abilities and does not want his current situation to affect his confidence.

Simeone’s message is one of reassurance, with the experienced manager emphasising the importance of maintaining a positive mentality rather than allowing limited opportunities to become a source of frustration.

The Atletico boss believes the most important response from Lookman is to continue working and trust the process as he seeks to regain his position in the team.

Lookman’s situation comes as Atletico prepare for a demanding Champions League assignment against Bayern Munich, with Simeone’s side looking to maintain their ambitions in Europe’s premier club competition.

The encounter could provide another opportunity for the Nigerian to convince his manager, although his recent involvement suggests competition for places remains intense.