Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has outlined the formidable challenges that await Atalanta as they prepare to face Spanish giants Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup, Soccernet.ng reports.
Atalanta, fresh off their triumph in the UEFA Europa League with a commanding 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, are set to take on the 2023–24 UEFA Champions League winners, Real Madrid, in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Lookman, who was instrumental in Atalanta's Europa League success, acknowledged that the upcoming clash with the La Liga titans will present a vastly different challenge compared to their recent European conquest.
“Tomorrow's European Super Cup is at stake, and it will be a completely different match. We're all eager to get on the pitch,” Lookman stated. “Not just me, but the entire team is excited for this opportunity. We deserve to be here; we've worked incredibly hard. Tomorrow, we have another chance to showcase our qualities.”
The Nigerian international also praised Real Madrid's calibre, recognising the Spanish side's strength and the talent within their ranks.
“We're facing a very strong team with top players who will be ready tomorrow as well,” Lookman added. “There's never a perfect time to face them, but our focus is on ourselves and our preparations.”
For the Super Cup showdown in Warsaw, Poland, Atalanta will be without key players Giorgio Scalvini, El Bilal Touré, Teun Koopmeiners, Gianluca Scamacca, and Nicolò Zaniolo, all of whom are sidelined due to injuries or other reasons.
Despite these absences, Lookman remains confident in Atalanta's ability to rise to the occasion.
“We're excited about the idea of playing this match, and although we're missing some important players, we have the right mentality to face this challenge,” he said. “We've overcome many great teams in the past, and we're ready to do so again.”
Lookman, who single-handedly secured Atalanta's Europa League victory with a hat-trick in the final, will be looking to replicate his heroics against Real Madrid as the two sides face off tomorrow.
