Ademola Lookman will be looking to end his long scoring drought against Arsenal when Atlético Madrid travel to London for the decisive second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi final on Tuesday.
The tie remains finely poised at 1 1 after the first leg in Madrid, with both teams battling for a place in the final scheduled for May 30 in Budapest, where Bayern Munich or Paris Saint Germain await.
Lookman, who delivered a strong performance in the first leg, remains a key figure in Atlético Madrid’s ing setup despite never scoring or assisting in his previous six matches against Arsenal.
In the first leg, the Nigerian forward completed 95 percent of his passes in the opposition half, registered four shots with two on target, and contributed defensively in a display widely praised by analysts and fans.
Atlético Madrid manager go Simeone praised Lookman’s growing tactical awareness, particularly his defensive contribution, saying the forward is adapting well to the demands of the team.
He also acknowledged the strength of Arsenal, describing them as a highly talented and consistent side with depth across all areas of the pitch.
Former Atalanta teammate Michel Adopo has also backed Lookman to make an impact in the return leg, stating that the winger now has the opportunity to shine at a top European club and is capable of delivering in big moments.
Atlético head into the match boosted by a domestic win over Valencia, although there remains a sense of frustration within the squad after failing to convert their dominance in the first leg into a victory.
The Spanish side created several chances in Madrid, including opportunities for Lookman, but were unable to find a winning goal despite equalising through Julián Álvarez after an earlier strike from Viktor Gyökeres.
Simeone is expected to recall several key players rested during the weekend league fixture as Atlético aim to overturn Arsenal’s strong Champions League form, which includes an unbeaten run in the competition this season.
With a place in the final at stake and Atlético chasing their first appearance in a decade, much attention will be on Lookman to see if he can finally break his scoring drought against the English side and help his team reach the final.
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