Nigeria international Ademola Lookman gave a calm but clear assessment after Atlético Madrid’s impressive win over Barcelona, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Super Eagles star was pleased to help the Spanish side take control of their Champions League quarter-final tie with a 2-0 victory at the Camp Nou.
Lookman played for 60 minutes before being replaced, but his impact went beyond numbers. His movement and work rate helped Atlético stay compact and dangerous, especially on a night when discipline and timing made all the difference.
Speaking after the match, Lookman focused first on the importance of the result and how the team executed their plan.
“It was a good result, the performance of the team, especially not to concede here. It shows the work everyone's been doing and the togetherness,” he told TNTSports.
It was a performance built on patience and organisation. Atlético knew they would have to suffer at times against a Barcelona side that dominated possession, but they also understood the value of staying compact and waiting for the right moments to strike.
One of those moments came just before half-time, when Barcelona were reduced to ten men after Pau Cubarsí was sent off. That decision changed the flow of the game, and Atlético reacted instantly.
Lookman pointed to that turning point as crucial.
“If you say so. You know especially scoring after they had a man sent off, that was key as well. Brilliant free-kick from Julián (Alvarez) and also the timing of Alex's (Alexander Sørloth) goal in the second half was also good.”
Álvarez’s free-kick gave Atlético the lead at the perfect time, just before the break, while Sørloth’s second-half finish, after replacing Lookman, arrived when Barcelona were pushing hard for an equaliser.
The goals showed Atlético at their most efficient: ruthless when chances came, even if they had fewer opportunities overall.
Lookman: Barcelona threat remains ahead of second leg
Despite the advantage, Lookman was quick to stress that the tie is far from finished. Barcelona, even with ten men, showed their quality by continuing to attack and dominate the ball for long spells.
“They are a top team of course, in situations they put you in. Difficult moments but we dug in together,” he said.
That resilience will be needed again in the second leg. Barcelona managed to create pressure even with a numerical disadvantage, registering more shots in the second half and forcing Atlético to defend deep.
Lookman knows that the return leg will bring a different kind of test.
“It's going to be a massive challenge, massive game. we know that. Calm heads, for sure. We'll take each game as it comes.”
Atlético will take confidence from their defensive strength and their ability to strike at key moments, but Barcelona’s attacking quality means the contest is still alive.
Two of the three highly anticipated battles between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have now been settled with both teams on levelled terms.
Barcelona claimed a fine 2-1 La Liga win against ten-man Atlético at the Wanda Metropolitano. Diego Simeone's men repaid the gesture with their impressive 2-0 win at Camp Nou on Wednesday night.
A positive result next Tuesday will see Atletico advance to the semifinals where they face either Arsenal or Sporting CP. The Premier League giants secured a narrow 2-0 win in Lisbon also on Tuesday.
