Atletico Madrid head coach, Diego Simeone, has expressed confidence that Nigeria international Ademola Lookman will strengthen his side.
Lookman enjoyed a dream debut for the Spanish giants, scoring and providing an assist in their 5-0 thrashing of Real Betis in the Copa Del Rey quarter-finals on Thursday.
The 28-year-old, who recently completed a winter transfer from Atalanta, netted Atletico’s third goal and set up Antoine Griezmann for the fourth.
When asked if Lookman would need time to settle, Simeone told Into The Calderon, “He’s a big lad, he’s already 28 years old, he came to help us, and we hope to help him too so that he can continue to grow. He has different qualities to the players we have, and he will make us better.”
Reflecting on the team’s commanding performance, the Argentine coach added, “The team played very well. Betis had started well, but the goal from a set piece gave us confidence in our game. With a lot of hard work and quality play, we were able to maintain that level in the first half.”
He continued, “There were important things. The team has been playing important matches, and the goal puts us in a better position. In the second half, we continued with better intentions. This isn’t stopping. We need to rest quickly because we’re playing on Sunday.”
