Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has urged Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman to stay patient and work his way back into form, ahead of tonight’s UEFA Champions League game against Bayern Munich.

Lookman has struggled to become a regular starter since joining Atletico. Simeone has occasionally used him in an unfamiliar central striking role while Julian Alvarez struggled for form.

With Atletico in strong form, Lookman is competing for a starting place, but Simeone insists he remains part of his plans.

Speaking ahead of the match, Simeone said Lookman has not had the start to the season he would have wanted, but should not let it affect his confidence.

“I don’t know if he’s playing somewhere he doesn’t want to be. He didn’t start the way he would have liked, but last season the same thing happened to Julián; he went through a difficult period and got out of it. And Griezmann had a stretch where he wasn’t scoring goals and he got out of it,” Simeone said.

Simeone singled out Lookman’s effectiveness in one-on-one situations in the attacking third.

“Lookman is the one who has the most duels in the final third, and I have a lot of faith in him. I don’t want him to get frustrated; it’s part of life and football. Until one day he starts scoring goals and providing assists. Let’s hope that’s the path he can follow,” he added.

Atletico go into tonight’s game at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano having won nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions, and are unbeaten in that run. Their latest result was a 2-0 win over Levante.

In Europe, however, they have four points from their first three Champions League games. Bayern have five.