By Alex Connor
Lookman’s career had temporarily stalled at Atalanta, as his relationship with the club deteriorated beyond the point of no return. The €35 million February move to the Spanish capital is the stepping stone for Lookman to elevate his career to the next level. Atleti’s shortcomings, weighed against the attacker’s quality and ambitions, make this an ideal marriage, from which both parties can massively benefit.
Last Thursday, Lookman enjoyed a dreamy debut in the 5-0 Copa del Rey quarter-final victory over Real Betis, recording a goal and an assist. However, Sunday’s disappointing 1-0 LaLiga loss against the same opponents has left Diego Simeone’s men in third place, 13 points behind league leaders Barcelona.
Lookman was involved in everything during the cup thrashing of Betis at Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla. He squandered an early chance when he side-footed a half-volley over the bar. For Atleti’s second goal, Lookman dropped in deeper and slipped a ball into the advancing Matteo Ruggeri’s path, and he teed up Giuliano Simeone for a close-range finish.
He then showcased his blistering pace, initiating a counter-attack. Lookman played a one-two with Pablo Barrios before cutting inside two Betis men and steering a composed effort into the bottom corner. Lookman turned provider in the second half, setting up Antoine Griezmann on the counter to net the fourth.
In 79 minutes, Lookman registered two goal contributions, five shots, three successful dribbles and created one chance. He supplied 1.24 xG (expected goals) of his side’s total 2.95 xG, missing two big chances. Luckily, Lookman’s wastefulness wasn’t punished due to Atleti’s dominance, and he rectified these errors with his direct dribbling, usefulness on the counter, and the ability to link up with his teammates.
It was Atleti’s biggest margin of victory this season. No one was surprised. These are the standards that Lookman has set himself. He bagged a hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League Final, ending Atalanta’s 61-year wait for silverware, was named African Footballer of the Year a few months later, and has hit double figures for goals in three successive Serie A seasons between 2022 and 2025.
Lookman’s season summary at Atalanta
However, Betis took their revenge and ruined his home debut at Estadio Metropolitano, beating Atleti 1-0 at the weekend. Lookman started up top with Julián Alvarez. The pair offered sporadic moments of attacking threat in the first half, with Lookman firing wide from Alvarez’s pass, before the former Atalanta man slid in a ball for the Argentine, whose near-post strike was saved. At the end of the first half, Lookman headed in Marcos Llorente’s cross, but he was offside.
This defeat ended Atleti’s 10-match winning run at home in the league, but poses wider questions regarding their misfiring forward line. Simeone said that this side “struggles against teams that play deep” and “lack clarity in attack.” The manager labelled it a “major weakness.”
Lookman is the answer. The 28-year-old isn’t a youngster short of experience. He’s an established, proven professional who can breathe fresh life into Atleti’s stuttering attack. Alvarez hasn’t scored in LaLiga since 1st November 2025, while the ageing Griezmann has also only managed five league starts. Alexander Sørloth is a functional striker but has limitations. He benefits from a mobile strike partner who can make runs, stretch defences, and create space.
After a meteoric rise since joining Atalanta in 2022, the last 12 months have been tricky for Lookman. In February 2025, he missed a penalty in the second leg of a Champions League knockout play-off tie against Club Brugge. This prompted manager Gian Piero Gasperini to describe him as “one of the worst penalty takers” he has seen. Lookman responded and said his comments were “disrespectful.”
The relationship between Lookman and Atalanta became even more strained when a move to Inter Milan failed in the summer. He was eventually reintegrated into the first team, but the damage had been done. In November, a heated touchline confrontation with Ivan Jurić during his substitution in the Champions League against Marseille was the final straw.
Joining Atleti is a new beginning for Lookman. A shortened Serie A season has yielded just two goals in 12 appearances (nine starts). Nevertheless, he still ranks within the top 11% for chances created per 90 (1.92), successful crosses per 90 (0.68), successful dribbles per 90 (1.81), and touches in the opposition box per 90 (7.45) in these outings. Lookman’s three goals and four assists in Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign further indicate he remains a player brimming with confidence and the ability to spearhead a team.
There is pressure on Lookman to adapt instantly. Following his first outing for Atleti, Simeone remarked on how he’s a “big guy” who will “make us better.” The recent Champions League loss at home to Bodø/Glimt meant that Atleti had to settle for the knockout play-offs, and with a credible LaLiga title challenge now seemingly out of reach, they are a side in need of inspiration.
Atleti and Simeone have turned to Lookman, who has been parachuted in as the saviour. Lookman can be the club’s answer to finding some elusive consistency and possesses the tools to emerge as the new talisman.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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