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Super Eagles winger, Ademola Lookman has issued a strong warning to his teammates at Atalanta, emphasizing that they must be at their absolute best to secure a victory against Real Madrid.
The UEFA Champions League match which is scheduled for 9 p.m. tonight, December 10, is significant as it will take place at Atalanta’s home ground, the Gewiss Stadium, during the crucial sixth round of the competition.
This match marks the second encounter between Atalanta and Real Madrid this season, following their earlier showdown in August when Real Madrid triumphed over La Dea with a 2-0 victory in the UEFA Super Cup.
However, Lookman and his teammates are brimming with confidence, as they have been in exceptional form both in Serie A and European competitions. Currently, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side sits at the top of Serie A and has enjoyed an unbeaten run in the Champions League thus far.
Atalanta are presently positioned fifth on the Champions League table, and Lookman acknowledges the difficulty of the upcoming match.
He stated, “It will be a very difficult match for us tomorrow (today). We will be very focused on how to set up the match. Tomorrow will be an additional challenge for us; what we have done in the past belongs to the past, and tomorrow we will have the opportunity to give our best.”
His comments reflect the team’s determination to rise to the occasion and seek redemption for their earlier defeat against Real Madrid.
In a related development, Ademola Lookman has expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent Nigeria, describing the decision as a significant blessing in his football career.
Lookman, who was born in Wandsworth, Greater London to Nigerian parents, initially played for the England national team at various youth levels, achieving notable success by winning the FIFA Under-20 World Cup with the Young Three Lions in 2017.
However, in February 2022, Lookman made the pivotal choice to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria. He made his debut for the Super Eagles in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ghana the following month.
This year, he had the honor of representing Nigeria for the first time in a major tournament during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in Cote d’Ivoire, where he made a substantial impact. Throughout the tournament, Lookman scored three goals and provided one assist across seven appearances, earning him a spot in the Team of the Tournament.
Reflecting on his decision to play for Nigeria, Lookman remarked, “It was massive for me because that was a big turning point in my career. Ever since I’ve put on the Super Eagles jersey, it has been fruitful.
“We have been able to achieve together as a team and we are still growing as a team. The togetherness of the team is very special within the squad. We showed that in the last AFCON; we got to the final, but unfortunately, we came up a bit short.”
