Simeone compares Lookman's slump to Griezmann's and Julián's

Asked about Lookman's difficult season, Simeone recalls the rough patches endured by Julián and Griezmann and reaffirms his faith in him: he is among the players who generate the most duels in the final third.

A journalist from an African broadcaster asks Simeone about Lookman, who is not having the season he would have wanted and who, the reporter suggests, may be playing in positions he does not like.

Simeone first responds with a touch of irony, asking whether the journalist has spoken to him personally about where he wants to play. He then admits that the forward's season did not start the way he would have liked, and offers examples: Julián went through a difficult spell last year and came out of it, and Griezmann endured a period without goals and came out of it too. This is about work and believing in what you do, he sums up.

He defends Lookman's importance, pointing out that he is one of the players who takes on the most one-on-one duels in the final third, where goals come. He does not want him to give in to frustration: it is part of life and of football, and the day will come when he scores, provides assists and feels more alive.