Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone has apologized to Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman for deploying him as a makeshift central striker, explaining that injuries to Alexander Sørloth and Julián Álvarez’s fitness recovery forced the tactical compromise.

He praised Lookman’s hard work but admitted the central role limited his strengths like dribbling and one-on-one duels.

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Simeone stated that Lookman will go back to doing what he enjoys most, taking on defenders and running wide, once the squad’s attacking options return.

“I apologized to Ademola Lookman, first, in the locker room, telling him: ‘I know it’s not your place, you were supposed to help us because right now Alexander Sørloth is injured, Julián Álvarez is recovering very well, and he’s the one helping us,” the 56-year-old said in quotes revealed by Futbol Fantasy.

“I understand, and I know him, that he’s a good guy. He’s putting in a tremendous effort, especially in the team’s work.

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“He’s missing what he enjoys, which is dribbling, scoring goals, and taking on defenders one-on-one.

“And we’re going to give him that back, obviously, when we have the forwards available to share those spaces on the field that make us better as a team,” the 2014 La Liga winner concluded.

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