Atlético de Madrid have seen Ademola Lookman's impact diminish after his arrival in the middle of last season. In the match against Deportivo Alavés, the Nigerian, who was deployed in a trident alongside Jonathan David and the young striker Julián Álvarez, failed to integrate into the rhythm required by Diego Simeone and was substituted at half-time after receiving a yellow card in first-half stoppage time.
The coach, who had trusted Lookman to provide creativity and pressure from the sideline, described his performance as “disconnected” and “without the spark that is needed.” The forward, who usually stands out for his ability to draw diagonals and create imbalance in one-on-one situations, was limited by Alavés' defensive aggressiveness and the lack of space in the attack. Spanish media noted that the freedom granted to the player did not match the team's playing style, which made his effective participation difficult.
In terms of statistics, the difference between the first and second seasons is evident. In his first spell with the club, Lookman scored nine goals and provided four assists in half a season, averaging 0.49 goals and 0.16 assists per game. In the current campaign, his performance has been reduced to 0.17 goals per game and without assists, with one goal per 540 minutes of play, compared to one goal every 139 minutes in the previous season. This relegation has generated concern among fans and the press, who remember the enthusiasm that surrounded his arrival.
Atlético de Madrid continues to look for coherence in its attack, and Lookman's management will be a key issue in the upcoming matches. The club will have to decide whether to keep the Nigerian in his usual position or look for a tactical adjustment that will allow him to take better advantage of his qualities. With the season still underway, the technical management will have to evaluate how to integrate Lookman in a way that contributes to the team's objective in the league and European competitions.