Atletico Madrid’s Tactical Pursuit: The Case for Ademola Lookman

Atletico Madrid has long sought a player capable of breaking through defenses in one-on-one situations without needing to dominate possession. Ademola Lookman fits this profile perfectly. At 28 years of age and in the prime of his football career, the Nigerian international has emerged as a dynamic and productive attacker at Atalanta, a quality that is highly valued at the Metropolitano alongside off-the-ball discipline.

In Atletico’s tactical setup, Lookman would not serve as a traditional winger sticking to the flanks. Instead, he would function as a second striker or an aggressive left-sided midfielder, designed to exploit spaces, accelerate transitions, and punish disorganized defenses. This role prioritizes finishing plays over maintaining possession, a strategy that coach Diego Simeone has effectively utilized in the past with similar profiles.

The tactical system would not pose any issues for Lookman. In a 5-3-2 formation, he could operate as a second forward, taking advantage of the spaces created by a central striker. Alternatively, in a reactive 4-4-2 system, he could initiate play from the left with the freedom to cut inside. His most effective performances arise when he is not constrained to fixed width but rather allowed controlled freedom.

This potential partnership with Antoine Griezmann is promising, combining mobility, timing, and incisiveness, thereby creating space for others. Additionally, Lookman’s defensive improvements at Atalanta indicate he can take on off-the-ball responsibilities, even if he is not a traditional positional defender.

Another requirement Simeone places on his players is total commitment. Physical exertion is never in question, and in this regard, Lookman delivers. While he may not cover vast distances, he maintains a high percentage of sprints throughout both halves, granting him an advantage in remaining active during matches.

Offensive zone maps illustrate that Lookman focuses 50% of his actions in the left interior channel, consistently appearing at the edge and inside the box. He is a winger who encroaches into scoring areas from the left, a quality Atletico has been searching for but has yet to find continuity.

This adds a new dimension for Simeone, enhancing offensive options. While Sorloth focuses his production in the central area, and Julián Álvarez spreads his impact across the frontline, Lookman targets the intermediate space—exactly where Atletico often struggles against low-block defenses. Here lies his primary advantage: he can break games open without needing significant possession. Thus, Lookman is not there to compete for the ball with Griezmann or overlap with a central striker; he is there to speed up transitions, dismantle tight defenses, and provide an external-internal threat.

Statistics support this visual impression. Lookman ranks among the elite European wingers and attacking midfielders in expected goals generated, shots taken, and touches in the opponent’s box. His contributions consistently place him near the goal, and he does not require long sequences of play or to be the focal point of the team’s strategy. In an Atletico setup that prioritizes efficiency over accumulation, these traits are invaluable.

Lookman is not a futile dribbler. His average of 3.18 dribbles completed per 90 minutes highlights that his dribbling is purposeful, aimed at advancing possession and creating scoring opportunities. He shoots not by habit but when advantageous situations arise, with most of his attempts concentrated in the central area of the box, the left interior channel, and often following a short burst or maneuver. This is precisely the area where Atletico generates the least when opponents sit deep.

It is no coincidence that his crossing volume is low while his internal production is high. In transition, he has been one of the most aggressive profiles in Serie A, aligning perfectly with Atletico’s philosophy of punishing opponents after recovering possession. He is a constant threat, primarily advancing from the left into the middle, whether through dribbling followed by a pass, direct shots, or tense passes into the box after drawing defenders.

A clear visual example of Lookman’s capabilities is evident in one of his actions: he receives the ball on the left flank, ready to take on his opponent. His Atalanta teammates are aware of his potential and create space for him to confront the defender directly.

As he drives toward the box, multiple defenders close in on him, opening up avenues for Lookman to assist better-positioned teammates at the edge of the penalty area. This type of play is quintessentially his.

This underscores a key quality valued by Simeone: Lookman does not require the team to be set up for success. He can generate advantages even when attacks begin in disadvantageous or chaotic situations. For an Atletico side that frequently counters after incomplete recoveries, this profile expands options without increasing risks.

The defensive metrics validate initial observations: Lookman is not a player known for defensive structure, nor is he likely to become one. His pressing is less intensive compared to other profiles, and he does not excel in defensive duels. However, context is crucial here.

Within the Atletico framework, the expectation would not be for him to maintain the defensive block but to activate pressure after losing possession and interrupt passing lanes—something he already does adequately. His role would be offensively conditional, rather than defensively positional. With adequate cover from players like Llorente, Ruggeri, Barrios, or a deep-lying wing-back, his defensive shortcomings are less penalized, as his offensive impact compensates.

Lookman would bring a dynamic that Atletico currently lacks consistently: a constant external-internal threat. He would not compete with associative profiles; rather, he would complement them. He could start in specific matches or serve as a high-impact substitute in Champions League scenarios or tightly contested home games.

The risks are evident: inconsistency throughout the season and a tactical discipline that requires specific training. However, the €30 million investment made for him is justifiable, given that he is a proven player at the peak of his competitive performance with an immediate impact.

Ademola Lookman is not a signing driven by superficial glitz or intuition; he represents a tactically coherent acquisition. He is a functional piece, designed to dismantle defenses when the primary strategy falls short. In an Atletico side increasingly in need of individual imbalance, his profile presents a concrete solution to a real problem. Under Simeone, the context would not restrict him; it would enhance his effectiveness.