Simeone, Oliseh hail ' incredible ' Lookman on feat against Barcelona
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone and former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh have joined forces to praise Ademola Lookman following his match-winning heroics in the UEFA Champions League. The reactions
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone and former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh have joined forces to praise Ademola Lookman following his match-winning heroics in the UEFA Champions League.
The reactions come in the wake of Lookman’s decisive goal on Tuesday night, which secured a 3-2 aggregate victory over Barcelona and propelled Atletico into the semifinals. The strike has solidified the Nigerian’s reputation as a transformative signing since his January move from Atalanta.
Speaking to the press after the high-stakes encounter, Simeone expressed profound satisfaction with Lookman’s rapid tactical evolution. Known for demanding defensive rigour, the Argentine manager noted that Lookman has surpassed expectations in his work rate away from the ball.
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Simeone said: “He continues to evolve completely. He’s improving a lot defensively. He’s gaining a lot of weight within the team. In all the time I’ve been here at the club, I haven’t had a player of that calibre and with those characteristics.
Read Also: UCL : Lookman's seals Atlético semi-final spot over Barcelona
“We’re playing with four forwards, although Giuliano is described as a full-back, midfielder, and striker… In Ademola’s case, he has more qualities; I saw that in Nigeria. He’s got it,” he added.
Since arriving in Madrid, Lookman has been highly productive, recording six goals and four assists across all competitions.
The performance also resonated with Nigerians as legendary midfielder Oliseh took to social media to celebrate Lookman’s impact.
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The former Super Eagles’ coach emphasized that the forward's ability to deliver on the biggest stage of European football is a testament to his mental growth.
“Talk about being an absolute influential player! I am extremely happy for Lookman. His goal made the difference,” Oliseh wrote. “He is also showing so much maturity that is quite remarkable.”
Lookman’s advancement to the final four is more than just a club success; it is a historic landmark for Nigerian football. He becomes the first Nigerian player to reach the Champions League semifinals since Kelechi Iheanacho achieved the feat with Manchester City in 2016.
While the Champions League celebrations continue in the Spanish capital, Atletico must quickly refocus on domestic silverware. The team is scheduled to face Real Sociedad on Saturday in a crucial Copa del Rey clash, with Lookman expected to play a central role as Simeone’s side chases a multi-trophy season.
