Lookman left out against Barcelona in Liga

Ademola Lookman did not play against Barcelona in Liga. Since he joined Atlético, the team had played 42 matches and the forward had been left without an appearance only twice, on both occasions on the eve of a Champions League fixture. He had featured in every match this season until now. His absence therefore underlines the decline in his role, after a start to the campaign that has fallen short of expectations.

The Nigerian has gradually lost ground in Simeone’s line-ups, culminating in his non-appearance against Barcelona. He is going through his most difficult spell since arriving at Atlético. The change is all the more striking given how central he had appeared to the team until recently.

Last season, Lookman also missed two matches: the game against Valencia at Mestalla, a few days before the second leg against Arsenal, and the match against Barcelona at the Metropolitano, shortly before the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. At that point, he was an undisputed choice and the coach carefully managed his workload.

His contributions in major matches had also mattered. In the Copa del Rey, he scored in Atlético’s 2-0 win over Manchester United. He was also one of the leading figures in the 4-0 cup victory. Last season, his important goals helped the team reach the Copa del Rey final and the European semi-finals. Months later, in the Champions League, one of his goals sent Atlético through to the semi-finals.

This season, Lookman appears to have lost the form that made him an automatic selection, and seems to have surrendered his place to Baena. Yet he had scored against Sevilla in Liga and then netted the second goal against United in the Champions League. His absence against Barcelona also contrasts with his first meeting with that opponent: he scored and assisted Julián. Marca described the emphatic win as “historic”. Lookman now wears number 11, having left number 22 behind.