Champions League: Lookman reflects on Atalanta’s strong performance against Real Madrid

By Saheed Afolabi

Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has expressed his pride in his team’s performance against UEFA Champions League defending champions Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

The Nigerian international played a pivotal role in the match, proving to be a constant threat to the Galacticos’ defense.

Lookman capped off his standout performance with a goal, earning him the Player of the Match (POTM) award.

However, he also highlighted his side’s missed opportunities, which, if converted, could have altered the course of the game.

Despite the 3-1 loss, Lookman praised his teammates for their resilience and emphasized how Atalanta proved they can compete against top European sides, even when facing more established teams like Real Madrid.

“It was a tough game. They took their chances when they had them. We knew what to expect, and while we were unlucky at times, we kept our heads held high,” Lookman said in an interview with Sky Sport Italia and UEFA.

“We are disappointed with the result because we felt we could have done more, but we also take pride in our performance. We showed that we can compete against a team full of champions. Yes, there were moments when we could have done better, but I believe we stood up to Real Madrid today, and that’s important for our growth.”

Lookman remained optimistic, reflecting on the positives from the match. He believes that Atalanta can draw valuable lessons from the encounter as they continue to evolve.

“We created chances, and there are plenty of positives to take away from the performance. Of course, there are areas to improve, but it was another step forward for us. We showed quality in key moments, and there’s a lot to learn from today.”

Atalanta remains in strong form domestically, topping the Serie A standings with 34 points from 15 matches. Their next challenge comes against Cagliari at the Sardegna Arena as they aim to build on their recent momentum.