Ademola Lookman’s first appearance at Camp Nou promises to be intense after Barcelona midfielder Pedri issued a strong warning ahead of Tuesday night’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigerian forward is expected to feature for Atlético Madrid, who arrive in Catalonia holding a commanding 4-0 advantage from the first leg. That heavy victory at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stunned Barcelona and placed Diego Simeone’s side firmly in control of the tie.
Lookman played a decisive role in that match. The Super Eagles attacker scored Atlético’s third goal and later set up the fourth, helping deliver one of the club’s most memorable wins over the Spanish champions.
Barcelona face a huge task as Hansi Flick's men attempt to overturn the deficit and keep their Copa del Rey hopes alive.
Pedri confident Barcelona can respond
Barcelona have received a major boost with Pedri returning to fitness after missing the first leg through injury. The midfielder believes his team still have a realistic chance of producing a famous comeback.
“I’m looking forward to Tuesday. I can’t wait for the match to come around. I feel great. I want to keep playing and finding my form,” he said in an interview with Catalunya Radio, as per Barca Universal.
The Spain international pointed to the team’s past resilience as a reason for optimism.
“Last year we came back from behind in many matches. We came back from two-goal deficits in 20 minutes, so why can’t we do it again?
“If there’s any team in the world capable of doing it, it’s us. We have that unconscious belief to keep going until the end because we’re a young squad.”
Pedri also admitted Barcelona fell far below their usual standards in the first leg in Madrid.
“The first half was one of the worst we’ve played this season, if not the worst. With and without the ball, we didn’t do anything we’re used to doing. They ran all over us, but now we have a chance to turn it around.”
While Barcelona dream of a comeback, Lookman arrives in excellent form. The former Everton and Fulham forward has already registered four goals and three assists in his first eight appearances for Atlético Madrid.
Facing Barcelona at Camp Nou for the first time, the Nigerian will be eager to continue his impressive start and help Simeone’s side finish the job and secure a place in the Copa del Rey final.
