Super Eagles and Atletico Madrid forward Ademola Lookman has revealed what kept his side in the game against Tottenham Hotspur at the London Stadium last night, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 28-year-old wasn't on the scoresheet in the first leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano as Los Rojiblancos sealed a 5-2 win over Igor Tudor's side in Spain.
A three-goal advantage heading into the away leg seemed sufficient, except that Spurs thought of doing the unthinkable.
Randal Kolo Muani headed home the game's first goal in the 30th minute as Igor Tudor's men heralded hopes of a comeback.
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Lookman reveals why Atletico didn't crumble against Spurs
A goal to the home side and the crowd at the London Stadium cheering on, the ex-Atalanta man revealed the squad's mentality kept them in the game.
Lookman set up Julian Alvarez at the start of the second half, and while other goals eventually followed, Atletico were safe from any trouble and will face Barcelona in the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League.
“We're very happy to be in the next round. Every game is hard. Everyone knows this competition and the quality of the teams,” the 2024 UEFA Europa League winner said in his post-match interview with UEFA.
“We're happy to play. In the last leg, we played very well, we scored five goals, and it took us through. Positives to take from the game and into the next round.
“Obviously, they scored a goal, and it's easy to collapse, but the boys that we have and the mentality that we have to stay in the game, so we did.
“Barcelona next. It's a special game against another tough opponent. We need to be ready; we'll prepare for that. Next game is for the weekend, and we'll take it game by game,” Lookman concluded.
