Former Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto has warned his old club to be careful of Ademola Lookman and Atletico Madrid’s dangerous attack, Soccernet.ng reports.
Barcelona will face Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final at the Spotify Camp Nou tonight. Atletico come into the game with a big advantage after winning the first leg 4-0 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in February.
Lookman, who joined Atletico from Atalanta during the winter transfer window, was the star of that match.
The Nigeria forward scored one goal and provided one assist as Diego Simeone’s side dominated the game.
Barcelona are the current holders of the Copa del Rey. But to reach another final, Hansi Flick’s team must produce one of the greatest comebacks in the club’s history.
Roberto issues Ademola Lookman warning
Roberto understands what a comeback feels like. He scored the famous winning goal when Barcelona beat Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 in the Champions League in 2017, after losing the first leg 4-0.
Even so, he says Barcelona must stay calm and defend smartly against an Ademola Lookman-led Atlético attack.
“But we can’t get carried away,” Roberto said as per Barca Blaugranes. “Atlético is very dangerous on the counter-attack, with top-level players up front who exploit space very well. The start of the match is crucial; we need to score as quickly as possible.”
Now playing for Como 1907, Roberto believes Barcelona can still turn things around, especially at home.
“We have to believe, especially going back to the Camp Nou. Perhaps the atmosphere won’t be the same, unfortunately it won’t be at its full capacity, but it’s possible, and the fans will be behind them. The fans will be fully behind them. We have to believe, and I’m confident the team can turn things around.”
History, however, shows how difficult the task will be. The last time Barcelona defeated Atletico by four goals or more was in September 2011, just three months before Diego Simeone became Atletico’s head coach.
If Barcelona are to reach the final again, they must stop Lookman and Atletico’s fast counter-attacks and rediscover their own attacking magic.
