Can Lookman reinvigorate Simeone’s formulaic Atlético Madrid?

Ademola Lookman’s arrival at Atlético Madrid signifies a significant chance for Los Colchoneros and their pressured coach Diego Simeone, not only to oust Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semifinal but also to secure their first trophy in five years.

The London-born Nigeria international showcases two-footed dribbling abilities, remarkable speed, a keen eye for goal, and solid vision. He embodies a style that contrasts sharply with Simeone’s often conservative, risk-averse, and increasingly predictable approach to play.

Although he has not joined Atleti from Atalanta in peak condition, the timing is fortuitous: if he can replicate some of the impact he had on Real Betis in the Copa quarterfinal last week, but over two legs against Barcelona in the semifinal, the defending champions may discover their specific vulnerability being effectively and painfully exploited.

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This engaging, energetic forward possesses the athleticism to time runs beyond Hansi Flick’s high press (potentially even more so at Camp Nou next week than at home on Thursday), and he has the skills, tricks, and assists that can set up teammates against Joan García’s goal — sprinting into the enticing 35 to 40 meters of open space behind Barça’s defensive line and García’s advanced sweeper-keeper position.

Lookman is not entirely unfamiliar to Barcelona, but he is far from a player they instinctively judge and defend against due to past encounters. He played alongside Dani Olmo at RB Leipzig, where they managed a 0-0 draw against Flick’s Bayern Munich in 2020.

Personal connections and an innate understanding of dangerous, creative, and quick players are extremely valuable, but in this instance, Lookman is a wildcard whose decisions, skills, mentality, speed, and audacity can catch Barcelona off guard. It is particularly noteworthy that the 28-year-old, who is a world champion with England at the U20 level and who clinched the 2023-24 UEFA Europa League with a stunning hat trick for Atalanta in the final against Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen, operates primarily on the left flank.

Among Flick’s key players, the one who has faced the most challenges, appearing overworked and consistently blending impressive attacking skills with questionable defensive errors, is right back Jules Koundé. Adding to the scenario, Barcelona’s right touchline, directly opposing some of the area where Lookman operates, is bolstered by Lamine Yamal, creating a compelling picture.

Atleti’s exciting new signing, along with Koke, Álex Baena, and Lookman’s former Atalanta teammate Matteo Ruggeri, may provide the necessary combinations to help Atleti overcome the disappointments of last season’s 4-4 (away) but 0-1 (home) semifinal aggregate defeat to Barça.

However, if Koundé is struggling, will Yamal need to track back more than usual to contain Lookman? Is there a possibility that, by showcasing the vibrant, assertive football he displayed against Betis in Seville last week, Lookman can serve as a partial counter to the record-breaking 18-year-old?

Conversely, it could unfold quite differently. Yamal and Koundé are accustomed to taking significant positional risks; they are used to confronting any opponent and effectively asserting, You defend us, attack us, press us, double mark us … we will find a way to escape, create threats, and score. They form a genuinely explosive duo.

For the record, and for Lookman’s awareness, Yamal has just netted five goals in five consecutive matches for Barcelona — two years earlier than Lionel Messi achieved at the same age. He also recently scored 24 goals at a younger age than any player in the 21st century, surpassing a record set by Kylian Mbappé by accomplishing it approximately a year and a half earlier than Real Madrid’s World Cup-winning goal scorer.

However, given Atleti’s nature, there are certainly uncertainties and complexities to consider.

Lookman has been “in dispute” with Atalanta for much of the season, as his desire to join Inter Milan was thwarted by the Bergamo club demanding nearly double the transfer fee that Atlético paid to acquire him in January (€60 million then, €35 million now). Atalanta moved on from him due to a lack of confidence that the Londoner — now in his fourth major continental league: Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A, LaLiga — would fulfill his contract, refuse to renew, and subsequently leave for free next summer. This illustrates the extent to which the relationship had deteriorated.

Consequently, his playing time this season has been significantly limited by coach Raffaele Palladino. When comparing Lookman’s minutes this season before arriving in Madrid (797), he would rank about 18th in terms of competitive minutes within Atleti’s squad.

The player may be somewhat rusty, perhaps slightly off his peak sharpness and stamina — an unfortunate characteristic to bring into Copa semifinals against the Spanish champions. This was not evident when he scored, assisted, and played a crucial role in Atlético’s 5-0 Copa rout of Betis last week, but it is something he and Atleti’s fitness staff will be addressing this week.

In the context of Los Colchoneros, nothing is ever smooth, simple, or straightforward.

Lookman was effective, useful, and appeared threatening in that notable 1-0 home loss to Betis in the league on Sunday — playing for 70 minutes. When he was substituted, it did not seem unreasonable, but it was not well received by the individual who brought him to the club and approved the €35 million expenditure: Atleti director of football Mateu Alemany.

The television match director captured a shot directed at the Metropolitano stand to catch Alemany (relatively new to the club but the face of the future and someone expected to shift focus on Simeone moving forward) with a facial expression that conveyed a mix of doubt, concern, and disgust. It was an expression that seemed to communicate, Are you sure? Well … the consequences are on your shoulders, Diego. At least, that is my interpretation.

Another interpretation is that we caught a glimpse of the coach’s thoughts when his former teammate from the Atlético side that won the Copa-Liga double in 1996, legendary striker Kiko, discussed Lookman on Spanish radio last week. The now-53-year-old, who made 26 appearances for Spain between 1992 and 1998, suggested that consistently bringing out the best in Lookman will require all of Simeone’s exceptional man-management skills.

Perhaps I am misinterpreting Simeone’s sentiments in what Kiko expressed, but it seems as though the Argentinian is asserting his stance in response to Alemany’s arrival. We will see who prevails in that particular dynamic.

In the short term, the prospect of Lookman and Ruggeri facing off against Yamal and Koundé over two matches in the upcoming ten days is even more captivating. Welcome to Spain, welcome to Atleti, Ademola.