Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone has admitted that Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman is yet to rediscover his best form, but insists the Nigerian must remain confident and continue taking risks on the pitch.

Simeone made the assessment on Monday while addressing the media ahead of Atlético Madrid’s UEFA Champions League encounter with Manchester United on Tuesday.

The Argentine coach acknowledged that Lookman has not been performing at the level expected of him or the level he wants to reach, although he praised the forward’s daily commitment to improving his performances.

“Lookman isn’t playing the way he wants to be and we want to see him, but he works every day trying to get back to that form,” Simeone said, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.  

The Atlético manager urged the 28-year-old to keep expressing his natural attacking qualities, particularly his dribbling ability, even if attempts to beat opponents sometimes result in losing possession.

“He’s a good dribbler, we need him to be, to lose the ball, to keep trying,” Simeone added.  

Lookman arrived at Atlético Madrid from Italian side Atalanta earlier this year and made an encouraging impact during the second half of last season, recording nine goals and four assists in 24 appearances across all competitions.

However, the Nigeria international has struggled to reproduce those numbers in the current campaign, managing just one goal in nine appearances at the time of Simeone’s comments.  

His difficult spell has also affected his involvement in the team’s attacking play, with the forward facing competition for places as Atlético seek consistency across domestic and European competitions.

Lookman featured as a substitute in Atlético’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in their Champions League opener on September 9. He entered the game in the 59th minute but could not prevent the Spanish side from beginning their European campaign with a loss.  

Atlético will now look to respond against Manchester United at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, with Simeone’s men seeking their first points of the league phase.

The Nigerian forward will hope to play a more decisive role as Atlético attempt to improve their Champions League position and build on their recent domestic results.

Simeone also stressed that players naturally experience fluctuations in performance and cannot be expected to maintain peak form throughout an entire season.

“Each player has their own moment. I don’t think any player is always at their best; there are injuries,” he said.  

The manager’s comments suggest that, despite Lookman’s current difficulties, he remains keen for the Nigerian to trust his instincts rather than become reluctant to take on defenders.

For Lookman, the Manchester United fixture offers an opportunity to respond on a major European stage and begin rebuilding the attacking influence that made him an important addition to Atlético’s squad.

With Nigeria also relying on his quality in international football, a return to form would be welcome for both club and country as the season progresses.