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Ademola Lookman of Atletico de Madrid. Copyright: ImagoxAlejandroxMatiasx<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Former RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg coach Ralph Hasenh\u00fcttl has revealed a fault in Ademola Lookman<\/a>\u2018s game that has been addressed by Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone, Soccernet.ng reports.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Austrian tactician coached the 28-year-old at the Red Bull Arena in his loan spell between January and June 2018. In that spell, Lookman scored five goals and provided three assists in eleven games.<\/p>\n However, when the Nigerian was signed permanently in 2019, Julian Nagelsmann had taken over at RB Leipzig, and the German manager wasn’t a big fan of Lookman.<\/p>\n Get Our Sports News First \u2013 Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n In an interview with The Sun<\/a><\/strong>, Hasenhuttl revealed how Die Rottenbullen got to sign the 2024 CAF Player of the Year, and the struggles which he faced in Germany.<\/p>\n \u201cWe needed someone up front on loan,\u201d the former Southampton coach said.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember Ralf Rangnick, our sporting director, running through the player restaurant with me and into an office to send a fax to make everything happen.<\/p>\n \u201cThe signing worked immediately as he scored a very important goal against Monchengladbach.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was on his debut. The game did not start well when he came on because he kept slipping as the pitch was muddy and he had the wrong boots.<\/p>\n \u201cMy assistants were jumping up and down shouting at him but he changed his boots and hit an 89th-minute winner!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Despite the praise from the Austrian, he was clear that the 2024 CAF Player of the Year struggled with helping the team when he’s without the ball.<\/p>\n \u201cWorking hard off the ball was tough for him and maybe too much, which is why maybe he struggled.<\/p>\n \u201cBut he has had a good journey since. His dribbling and finishing is his biggest strength.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Hassenhuttl’s point was reiterated by Diego Simeone when Lookman signed for Atletico Madrid in February. The Argentine manager was pleased with the attacker’s input up front, but mentioned he has a lot to do defensively.<\/p>\n \u201cAbove all, he scores goals, in principle, he scores more goals than he contributes to the build-up play, so he can improve in terms of his play and defensive work,\u201d Simeone said in quotes revealed by Into the Calderon<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n \u201cWe need him to adapt to the way the team operates in that area, and I can see he\u2019s enthusiastic and keen to improve.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Lookman, in recent weeks, spoke about Simeone’s intense demands of defensive involvement<\/a>, admitting he’s improving, thanking the manager for making him a well-rounded player.<\/p>\n \u201cSimeone, I think just wants more of everything from me. Defending, attacking, and helping the team in certain moments. Being part of the play, he demands more from me.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s a pleasure you know, because I have someone who sees more in me, pushes me, and wants more from me.<\/p>\n \u201cI have to keep working, and keep demanding more from myself too, it’s what I want to do, to be the best I can for the team and myself,\u201d the FIFA U-20 World Cup winner concluded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/kMbxSEwurEsVGAHiPh51tlRdsDQ=\/3232x1664\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F05%2Fimago32359514.jpg\")
Soccer Hasenh\u00fcttl highlights Lookman’s growth under Diego Simeone<\/h2>\n
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