Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman is poised for another major test as Atletico Madrid prepare to face Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.
Atletico will host the first leg on February 12 before travelling to Barcelona for the return fixture on March 3.
The winners on aggregate will progress to the final to face either Atletico Bilbao or Real Sociedad.
Lookman heads into the encounter on the back of an outstanding quarter final performance, where he scored and assisted in Atletico’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Real Betis.
The Nigerian International has made an immediate impact since his arrival and will be looking to maintain his impressive form against one of Spain’s top sides.
The Nigerian forward forward completed a high-profile move from Atlanta in transfer deadline day in a deal worth an initial €35 million, which could rise to €40 million through performance-related add-ons.
The timing could hardly have been for Diego Simeon’s side, just 24 hours earlier, Lookman announced himself in a spectacular fashion scoring once and setting up another in Atletico’s emphatic 5-0 Copa del Rey win over Betis in Seville.
His sharp movement, speed in transition and direct running immediately caught the eye, adding a new dimension to Atletico’s attack.
With the club sitting third in the league, ten points behind leaders Barcelona and nine adrift of rivals Real Madrid, Lookman’s availability offers a timely lift as they look to maintain pressure at the top of the table.
-9News Nigeria.
