Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has expressed confidence in Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, urging him not to become frustrated as he works to rediscover his best form following a challenging start to the current season.

Lookman joined Atletico Madrid from Italian club Atalanta during the winter transfer window and made an impressive contribution during the second half of last season.

The former African Footballer of the Year registered nine goals and four assists in 24 appearances across all competitions, quickly becoming an important attacking option for the Spanish side.

However, the Super Eagles star has struggled to reproduce those performances this season, managing just two goals in 14 appearances.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday ahead of Atletico Madrid’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich, Simeone insisted that he believes Lookman will overcome his current difficulties.

The Argentine tactician also referred to Atletico teammates Julián Álvarez and Antoine Griezmann, explaining that both players had experienced difficult periods before eventually recovering their form.

According to quotes published by Futbol Fantasy, Simeone said:

“Well, I don’t know if you spoke with him personally, if he’s playing somewhere he doesn’t want to be.

“The truth is, I think his season didn’t start the way he would have liked, but Julián also went through a difficult time last year and then came out on top, and Griezmann, remember, when he wasn’t scoring goals, he came back.

“This is work, this is believing in what you do. We believe, as I’ve been saying in almost every press conference about Lookman, in the importance he has for us, because he’s one of the players who has the most one-on-one duels in the final third, in the closing stages, where, obviously, a goal can come. And I have a lot of faith in him.”

Simeone acknowledged that the Nigerian international is not currently enjoying his best spell but stressed that difficult moments are part of a footballer’s career.

The Atletico manager warned Lookman against allowing his lack of goals and recent struggles to affect his confidence. He encouraged the forward to remain committed to his work until he begins scoring, creating assists and delivering stronger performances again.

He added:

“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, and there are moments you have to go through until one day he starts scoring a goal, starts playing better, starts assisting, starts feeling, obviously, more alive, as players obviously feel.”

Meanwhile, Lookman has recorded two goal involvements in the Champions League this season but is yet to start a match in the competition.

The Super Eagles attacker has featured from the bench in Atletico Madrid’s games against Liverpool, Manchester United and Stuttgart, as he continues to push for a regular starting position under Simeone.

The Nigerian will therefore be hoping to make a stronger impression as Atletico prepare to face Bayern Munich, with his manager publicly reaffirming his confidence in the forward despite his recent struggles.