Atletico manager Diego Simeone disclosed that Lookman has yet to recover from an adductor injury sustained during the club’s recent Copa del Rey final defeat to Real Sociedad. The knock also ruled him out of Tuesday’s loss to Elche CF.
There had been initial optimism that the 28-year-old would return in time for the Bilbao clash, but Simeone dismissed those hopes, indicating the player is still short of full fitness.
“Ademola Lookman is not ready for tomorrow yet; it’s a good thing we took him off in the Copa final,” Simeone said, suggesting the early substitution may have prevented a more serious setback.
Lookman’s absence comes at a delicate stage of the season for Atletico, with crucial domestic and European fixtures on the horizon. Attention will now turn to whether he can regain fitness in time for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final against Arsenal FC next week.
The Spanish side will be hoping the forward’s recovery progresses quickly, as they look to maintain momentum both in La Liga and on the continental stage.