Atletico manager Simeone issues apology to Lookman after Villarreal draw

The Argentine head coach deployed the Super Eagles winger as an out and out centre-forward in their La Liga encounter against the Yellow Submarine at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

Lookman featured for 79-minutes before being substituted in a forced tactical switch following the straight red card to defender Robin Le Normand, shortly before Guiliano Simeone's equalizer six minutes later.

"I apologised to Ademola Lookman," revealed Diego Simeone after the match.

"First, in the locker room, telling him: 'I know it's not your place; you were supposed to help us because right now Alexander Sorloth is injured, Julian Alvarez is recovering very well, and he's the one helping us.'

"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."

The 28-year-old attacker and 2024 African Footballer of the Year has featured in 26 matches for Los Colchoneros, scoring nine goals while providing four assists and Simeone is looking forward to restoring him to his usual position out wide.

"He's missing what he enjoys, which is dribbling, scoring goals, and taking on defenders one-on-one," added the Argentine mentor.

"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."

Atletico will turn their attention to next weekend's league encounter away to Sevilla on Saturday. 

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