Lookman shines as Atlético Madrid defeat Getafe 4-1
Ademola Lookman needed only one half of pre-season to plant a firm marker down at Atlético Madrid.
On a warm Wednesday that felt more like an open training session than a true derby, the Nigerian forward struck twice before the interval in a 4-1 win over a makeshift Getafe side, giving Diego Simeone an early glimpse of what his attack could look like in the months ahead.
Lookman wastes no time
Pre-season games can drift. This one didn’t, largely because Lookman refused to let it.
Sharp in his movement and ruthless in front of goal, he produced the standout performance of the afternoon, his double setting Los Colchoneros on their way and underlining why he is being viewed as a central figure in Atlético’s attacking plans. His goals were the clearest, cleanest takeaway from a match that, in competitive terms, barely registered.
The caveat matters. Getafe arrived with a heavily depleted squad, relying mostly on academy players and fringe options. The 4-1 scoreline reflects the gap in experience more than any deep tactical revelation, and no one inside Atlético will be fooled by the margin. Still, when a forward starts his summer with this kind of edge, coaches take note.
Simeone’s back-three experiment
Beyond Lookman’s finishing, the intrigue lay in Simeone’s chalkboard.
Atlético lined up with three centre-backs and aggressive wing roles, a structure the coach has flirted with in the past but rarely committed to over long stretches. This time, it gave him a platform to test familiar pieces in slightly different positions and to imagine how new ones might fit.
Marcos Llorente was central to that vision. His energy and willingness to surge into space made him a natural fit in the shape, constantly stretching Getafe’s young back line and offering another line of attack behind Lookman. The system also seemed tailored to the qualities of Alejandro Grimaldo, the new signing whose attacking instincts from deep could become a key outlet once he joins full training.
For now, it remains an experiment, not a declaration. Whether Simeone keeps faith with three at the back when the real games start or files it away as a useful alternative is still an open question.
Squad still taking shape
The broader picture is one of a squad in mid-construction. Several players are yet to return after their exertions at the 2026 World Cup, and this first outing was more about rhythm and ideas than definitive judgments.
Within that context, Lookman’s two first-half goals stand out all the more. He offered direct running, composure in the box, and the sense that he can shoulder responsibility in the final third as Atlético build towards the new season.
The opposition may have been raw and under-strength, the occasion low-key. But for a forward trying to carve out a leading role under Simeone, there are worse ways to start than walking off with the match ball and the manager’s attention firmly fixed on your number.
