Simeone urges Lookman to keep taking risks as Atletico form dip continues

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone believes Ademola Lookman can recover his best form after a challenging opening to the 2026/27 season, with the Nigeria international having scored only once in nine appearances in all competitions.

Lookman’s difficult run continued last weekend when he was replaced at half-time during Atletico Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Alaves. His substitution raised further questions about the winger’s current confidence and performances.

Simeone, however, views the situation as a temporary phase rather than a lasting decline and remains convinced that Lookman has the ability to return to the level he has previously demonstrated.

“Every player goes through their own phases. Obviously, I don’t think there’s a player who can maintain a level of ten all the time,” the Argentine was quoted by Into The Calderon.

“There’s always a dip, and it’s clear that Ademola Lookman is going through a phase where he’s not performing as he’d like to and as we’d like to see him, because he’s shown us what he’s capable of. But he works every day to become that player, the dribbler.”

Simeone said Lookman’s response should be to maintain his confidence and continue attempting the actions that have made him an important attacking player.

The Atletico manager encouraged him to keep running at defenders, even if those efforts sometimes lead to losing possession, while also stressing the need for persistence and hard work.

“He needs to keep dribbling, he needs to lose the ball, he needs to keep pushing forward, because he’ll do well, because he’s got what it takes and because he’s a goalscorer,” Simeone added.

The comments reflect Simeone’s continued faith in Lookman’s attacking quality and finishing ability, despite the player’s limited return in front of goal so far this season.

Lookman’s solitary goal in nine appearances has come during a period in which his form has fallen short of the standards expected at Atletico Madrid. His early withdrawal against Alaves added to the scrutiny, although the team secured a 2-1 win.

Simeone’s message is that the winger must continue to seek out opportunities and trust the qualities that have previously allowed him to influence matches. The manager also made clear that a player cannot sustain peak form throughout an entire campaign, and that a dip can form part of the normal cycle of a season.

Atletico Madrid’s victory over Alaves extended their winning run, while Lookman continues to work towards regaining the level Simeone believes he is capable of producing.