Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman expressed delight after helping Atletico Madrid reach the quarterfinals of the ongoing UEFA Champions League campaign, following a 7-5 aggregate victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Atletico Madrid won the first leg 5-2, and that three-goal cushion eventually proved to be crucial as Tottenham threatened a fight-back in the second leg.
The Lilywhites won 3-2 on Wednesday night, but Los Colchoneros progressed into the last eight courtesy of their superior aggregate result.
Speaking after the second leg, Lookman, who featured in both encounters for the Spanish capital club commended his teammates for their efforts while also admitting that their cushion from the first leg proved to be the difference.
“We’re very happy to be into the next round. Every game is hard, and everyone knows the quality in this competition,” Lookman said after the game, per quotes revealed by Complete Sport.
“The five goals in the first leg have taken us through, and there are positives to take tonight, so into the next round we go.
“Spurs scored first, and it would have been easy to collapse, but we had the mentality to stay calm, stay in the game and get opportunities. It was nice to be back in London, I call it home.”
Lookman only joined Atletico Madrid in the winter transfer window, but he’s already faced Barcelona twice as Los Colchoneros knocked the La Liga champions out of the Copa del Rey.
Both teams will meet again in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, and Lookman is relishing the stern test that awaits.
“Barcelona will be a special, special game against another tough opponent. We need to be ready for it and we’ll prepare in the right way. Let’s take it as it comes.”
Before they face the Blaugrana in Europe, though, both sides will lock horns in a La Liga clash at the Wanda Metropolitano at the start of April.
However, Lookman and Atletico must first turn their complete focus to this weekend’s clash against high-flying city rivals Real Madrid.
After the Madrid derby game, Lookman will then link up with the Super Eagles of Nigeria during the international break ahead of friendly fixtures against Jordan and Iran before returning to Spain for back-to-back games against Hansi Flick’s Barca in both the Spanish top flight and the Champions League.
