Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone has explained that managing players’ workload and energy levels influenced his decision to withdraw Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman at half-time during Saturday’s 1-0 La Liga victory over Espanyol.
Lookman started the encounter just days after scoring in Atlético’s 2-0 Champions League triumph over Manchester United. However, the Super Eagles forward was replaced by Argentine striker Julián Álvarez at the interval as Simeone adjusted his team.
Explaining the decision, the Atlético boss said the team needed fresh legs to maintain its intensity.
“We were looking to manage the minutes, the effort; we needed legs,” Simeone said.
Lookman was therefore unable to complete the match as Atlético sought a breakthrough against a stubborn Espanyol defence.
The Spanish side eventually secured all three points with a late goal, keeping their campaign on track as they continue to juggle domestic and European commitments.
Simeone’s explanation suggests the substitution was primarily a workload-management decision rather than a reflection of Lookman’s recent performances.
The Nigerian forward has made an impact in recent fixtures, particularly with his goal against Manchester United, and will be keen to maintain that momentum in Atlético’s upcoming matches.
With a demanding schedule ahead, managing minutes and preserving players’ fitness could prove crucial as Simeone looks to keep his squad competitive across all competitions.
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