Ademola Lookman has praised Antoine Griezmann for the brilliant pass that led to Atlético Madrid’s goal, after they booked their spot in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona on the night, Atlético progressed with a 3-2 aggregate result, having done the damage with a 2-0 win from the first leg.
Lookman scored what turned out to be the decisive goal of the tie, but the move was started by Griezmann’s intelligence and technique. After dropping deep into midfield, the Frenchman produced a clever pass to Marcos Llorente, who then delivered a cross that the Nigerian forward calmly put past Joan Garcia.
That strike ended up being Atlético’s only goal of the night, but it proved enough to send them into the semifinals for the first time in nine years, where they will face Arsenal.
Speaking to ESPN, Lookman reflected on the build-up, hailing Griezmann’s important role in the goal.
“The pass to Grizi makes the play and of course, his touch was amazing. It opens space for Marcos to run into. Then it’s just for me to sprint as fast as I can to get on the end of the cross which I did, and thankfully I scored. I’m really happy”, the Nigerian forward said.
Lookman targets Copa del Rey success with Atlético
Lookman, who joined Atlético from Atalanta for €35 million during the winter transfer window, now has the chance to win his first trophy with the club when they face Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday.
The Nigerian forward has been key to their run to the final, scoring twice and providing two assists in just three appearances in the competition and will be hoping to deliver again on the big stage.
The 28-year-old could also make history on the night. If he manages to win the trophy, he would become only the second Nigerian to win the tournament after Emmanuel Amuneke, who lifted the trophy with Barcelona in 1997.
If Lookman also finds the back of the net in the final, he would also be the first Nigerian to score in a Copa del Rey final since Finidi George did so for Real Betis in that same 1997 edition.
Winning the title would strengthen his importance to the team and give them a big confidence lift going into the final weeks of the season, especially with a Champions League semifinal clash against Arsenal still to come.
