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Ademola Lookman set to start for Atletico Madrid against Manchester City
Atletico Madrid are expected to name Ademola Lookman in their starting line-up for Saturday’s high-profile pre-season friendly against Manchester City, after the Nigeria international featured prominently during an open training session attended by supporters and the media.
The session took place on the eve of the meeting with the Premier League champions and was overseen by Atletico manager Diego Simeone in difficult weather conditions. Spanish sports newspapers AS and Marca reported that Lookman is in line to start, based on the team selected during the practice match.
When Simeone revealed his side, he arranged a line-up of Dominguez, Le Normand, Hancko, Dani Martinez; Carlos Martin, Koke, Hjulmand, Obed Vargas; Lookman and Mendoza.
Lookman is expected to operate in attack against Manchester City. Atletico’s other leading forwards, Alexander Sørloth and Julian Alvarez, have not yet joined the club’s pre-season camp after representing Norway and Argentina respectively at the 2026 World Cup.
The former African Footballer of the Year has made an encouraging start to preparations with Atletico Madrid. He scored the club’s first two goals in a 4-1 victory over Getafe in their opening friendly of the summer.
Lookman was also included from the start in Atletico’s second pre-season match, against Manchester United. He played for 62 minutes as the Spanish side were beaten 2-1.
His potential involvement against Manchester City would give him another opportunity to build his fitness and establish his role in Simeone’s attacking plans before the competitive season begins.
The friendly forms part of Atletico Madrid’s pre-season schedule, with the club using the match to continue preparations while several players return from international duty at different times.
Simeone’s decision to use Lookman in the forward line during the open session suggests the 2024 African Footballer of the Year could again be given responsibility in attack against a high-profile opponent. The Nigeria international’s two goals against Getafe had provided an early indication of his readiness, while his appearance against Manchester United represented his first chance to test himself against one of the leading clubs in English football.
With Sørloth and Alvarez still absent from the squad, Lookman is likely to remain one of Atletico Madrid’s principal attacking options for the meeting with Manchester City.
