Atletico Madrid manager Diego Pablo Simeone has apologised to Ademola Lookman after playing the Super Eagles star out of position in their opening two games in the Spanish La Liga.

Lookman was deployed in the false number nine role by the Argentine tactician in their 2-0 victory against Malaga in their La Liga opener and their 2-2 draw with Villarreal at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Sunday night.

The 28-year-old has struggled to make any meaningful impact in these two games for the Rojiblancos, raising doubts over his performance in this new campaign.

Sharing his thoughts on Lookman's new role, Simeone apologized to the former African Footballer of the Year for deploying him out of position.

The 56-year-old explained that Lookman has been deployed in the forward role due to the injury of Alexander Sorloth, while Julian Alvarez is still recovering after a busy summer at the FIFA World Cup.

"I apologized to Ademola Lookman, first, in the locker room, telling him: 'I know it's not your place, you were supposed to help us because right now Alexander Sørloth is injured, Julián Álvarez is recovering very well, and he's the one helping us,'" the 56-year-old said in quotes revealed by Futbol Fantasy.

"I understand, and I know him, that he's a good guy. He's putting in a tremendous effort, especially in the team's work," the Atlético boss added.

"He's missing what he enjoys, which is dribbling, scoring goals, and taking on defenders one-on-one," Simeone said about Lookman playing as a number nine.

Simeone, however, promised to restore Lookman to his preferred role on the left wing when the injured attackers return to the squad.

"And we're going to give him that back, obviously, when we have the forwards available to share those spaces on the field that make us better as a team," the 2014 La Liga winner concluded.

WDN