Simeone: Lookman Has ‘Huge Heart and Willingness to Learn’

Diego Simeone reserved special praise for Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman after his standout performance in Atlético Madrid’s derby clash against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Lookman scored Atlético’s opening goal in the 32nd minute, finishing off a well-worked team move with composure to beat Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.

Despite Atlético’s eventual 3-2 defeat, Simeone highlighted the attacker’s progress and importance to the team.

‘Lookman has been growing, working very well, giving us different things in attack and we need him that way. We are also helping him to grow in the defensive part so that he also gives us that work, which he has.

‘He is a boy with a huge heart and an incredible willingness to learn and want to improve. That’s great. Hopefully he will continue to give us important things,’ Simeone said post match.

Lookman is the 8th Atlético Madrid player to score in his first LaLiga derby against Real Madrid in the 21st century, and the first since Luciano Vietto in October 2015.