The Digest:
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has explained why Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman started on the bench in his side's 4-1 Champions League win over Club Brugge, despite scoring in both the first leg and the previous league match. Simeone revealed the decision was tactical, aimed at managing workload while giving the team the best chance of winning. Lookman came on in the 70th minute with Atletico leading 2-1 and immediately made an impact, combining with Antoine Griezmann before laying the ball to Alexander Sørloth for his hat-trick goal. Simeone admitted: "It wasn't easy to leave Lookman and Griezmann out. You have to make decisions, and I'm excited to see that those who come on do so in a way that supports the thinking." He emphasised the need to rotate and manage players, acknowledging some decisions will be questioned.
Key Points:
- Simeone's rotation policy highlights squad depth and tactical flexibility.
- Lookman's impact off the bench demonstrates his value even when not starting.
- The Nigerian proves versatility, while Atletico benefits from fresh legs.
- This signals the intense competition for places in Simeone's setup.
- The timing, with knockout stages ahead, ensures players stay fresh.
Simeone explains Lookman benching as tactical rotation, with Nigerian providing crucial assist minutes after coming on in 4-1 win.
Sources: Soccernet
