Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has praised Ademola Lookman’s contributions in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
Los Rojiblancos were held to a stalemate by the Premier League side in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal encounter in Madrid, leaving the tie hanging in the balance ahead of the second leg.
Nigerian forward Lookman made his return from an injury layoff that has forced him to miss Atletico’s last two matches and was impressive on the night, contributing both in attack and also in defence.
The 28-year-old became the sixth Nigerian player to feature in a Champions League semifinal clash and could have even gotten on the scoresheet in the match, but was unlucky not to find the net.
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He missed two good chances to add his name to the scoreline in the second half, with David Raya producing two brilliant stops to deny him a goal.
Julian Alvarez’s second half penalty cancelled out Victor Gyokeres’ first half attempt for Arsenal, as the game ended in a 1-1 result.
Simeone heaps praises on Lookman’s performance vs Arsenal
Reacting to the result, Simeone expressed satisfaction with Lookman’s performance, particularly the work rate he put into his defensive play, after only just returning from injury.
“I loved Lookman’s game; we’re getting an important player to understand that his defensive work helps us”, Simeone said.
“The atmosphere… I rarely remember this atmosphere at the beginning of the game. Tremendous, wonderful, a gift to the team.
“The first half was calmer, with one from Julián and one from them. In the second half we adjusted more, it was noticeable their tiredness of so many games that they have, that they have to win the Premier League, the Champions League”, he added.
“In the second half we could stay ahead, but his goalkeeper had good saves, a defender took one from Griezmann. We have an extraordinary challenge ahead of us: London, Arsenal’s field, we will go to play with everything”, Simeone concluded.
Lookman will now be hoping for a more productive outing in next week’s second leg at the Emirates Stadium, as he hopes to score his first career goal against Arsenal to help Atletico advance to the final.
