Atlético Madrid beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the derby, but Diego Simeone’s post-match comments were more demanding than reassuring toward Ademola Lookman. The Nigeria forward came on in the 67th minute for Álex Baena with Atlético already 2-0 ahead, and Simeone said he expected him to make a stronger impact.

The match turned in Atlético’s favour shortly after half-time when Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen was sent off for bringing down Giuliano Simeone in the penalty area. Alejandro Grimaldo converted the 53rd-minute penalty, Jonathan David made it 2-0 six minutes later, and Antonio Rüdiger’s 89th-minute header only narrowed the margin as Atlético held on.

Lookman was used from the bench because Simeone selected a tactical lineup that emphasised defensive and wing-back coverage, with Baena and Giuliano Simeone occupying wide roles. The 28-year-old entered with roughly 23 minutes remaining but did not register a goal or assist.

Simeone’s specific assessment was: “We needed the talent of Koke, a little more freshness from Julián, and that Lookman entered better than he did.” That was not a repudiation of the player—Simeone had described Lookman before the match as a rare one-on-one threat near the edge of the area—but it makes clear that the coach wants more from him as a substitute and expects him to influence games more decisively.

Lookman has scored once in seven La Liga appearances this season. He remains an important option in Simeone’s squad, especially given his ability to create in isolation, but the derby underlined that his place is not guaranteed as Atlético rotate among Baena, Giuliano Simeone, Julián Álvarez, Jonathan David and other attacking options.