LOOKMAN RECORDS 50TH CLUB CAREER ASSIST IN ATLÉTICO’S DRAW WITH STUTTGART
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By ‘Balogun Ibrahim
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has expressed satisfaction after recording the 50th assist of his senior club career during Atlético Madrid’s 1-1 draw against VfB Stuttgart in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
Lookman was introduced at half-time with Atlético trailing following Jamie Leweling’s 36th-minute opener for Stuttgart.
The Nigerian made an immediate impact, setting up Julián Álvarez to equalise just 80 seconds into the second half. According to Transfermarkt, the assist brought Lookman’s tally in senior club football to 50.
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Speaking to Atlético Madrid’s media team after the match, Lookman acknowledged Stuttgart’s strong first-half performance but said his side was determined to turn things around after the break.
“They obviously started very well. A strong team playing away from home is never easy. But we wanted to try to change the tie in the second half, which we did with the goal,” he said.
Atlético’s task became more difficult in the 64th minute when Morten Hjulmand was sent off for a reckless challenge on Angelo Stiller, leaving the Spanish side with 10 men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Lookman said his teammates remained united and fought hard to secure a point away from home.
“We kept pushing, but unfortunately, we went down to 10 men. We dug in, we showed our fight together, stuck together, and we take a point away from home,” the former Everton winger said.
The Nigerian international also praised Álvarez, expressing confidence that the Argentine forward would convert the opportunity created by his delivery.
“We just tried to look out for him in the box; he is deadly in the box. So, yeah, I knew he would score,” Lookman said.
He also commended Atlético’s travelling supporters for their encouragement throughout the encounter, particularly after the team was reduced to 10 players.
“The whole match, we could hear them pushing us throughout the game. Especially after the 65th minute, they kept going, and they were even louder. So, thanks to them, thanks for them for the extra energy,” he added.
Stuttgart came close to snatching a late winner, but defender Jeff Chabot headed wide from a corner delivered by Maximilian Mittelstädt.
Meanwhile, Nigerian teenager Mubarak Suleiman made history in the same competition by becoming the first Nigerian teenager to start a Champions League match since Alex Iwobi featured for Arsenal against Barcelona in March 2016, according to Opta Joe.
Suleiman started for Slavia Prague in their 2-2 away draw against Fenerbahçe.
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