Atlético Madrid found goals from Pablo Barrios and Ademola Lookman in their Champions League meeting with Manchester United, with the spread of scorers offering Diego Simeone a timely positive on a European night.
Barrios opened his account for the season, already matching the single goal he managed throughout the previous campaign. That strike came in La Liga’s fourth round against Villarreal.
Quick facts
- Pablo Barrios scored his first goal of the season against Manchester United.
- Ademola Lookman registered his second goal of the campaign.
- Barrios became Atlético’s 11th different scorer this season.
- Julián Alvarez hit the post in the second half and remains without a goal this term.
- Lookman came on after the interval and scored from a goalkeeper’s rebound.
Simeone regularly demands more end product from his midfielders, and Barrios delivered precisely the type of late arrival and finishing ability the coach values. The academy graduate is viewed as a different profile within the squad, capable of getting into scoring positions from deeper areas.
Atlético’s scoring has been shared widely so far. Alongside Barrios and Lookman, Álex Baena, Jonathan David, Alejandro Grimaldo, Kang-in Lee, Giuliano Simeone, Marcos Llorente, Pubill, Robin Le Normand and Cristian Romero have all scored this season.
Lookman’s finish was his second of the campaign, following his earlier goal against Sevilla in the third La Liga round. Used through the middle because of Sørloth’s absence and the situation involving Alvarez, the Nigerian has not always looked at ease when stationed furthest forward.
Against United, however, his introduction in the second half brought a decisive instinct in the area as he converted after the goalkeeper could only parry the ball. Last season, Lookman scored 10 times in 31 Atlético appearances: four in the league, three in the Champions League and three in the Copa del Rey.
Alvarez started and remained on the pitch until the 70th minute. He was more involved in Atlético’s attacking moves than in some recent outings, but could not find the goal that has so far eluded him this season.
The Argentine’s best chance came after the break, when his effort struck the post. He has played four league matches and two Champions League fixtures without scoring, a sharp contrast to the 10 Champions League goals he recorded for Atlético a year ago.
