Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has set his sights on toppling Barcelona as Atletico Madrid host the Spanish giants Thursday in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final, seeking to overturn last season’s narrow exit and revive their trophy hunt.
The encounter at the Metropolitano revives a fierce rivalry, with Atletico eager for payback after Barcelona edged them 5-4 on aggregate in the 2025 semis, including a 1-0 victory in the Spanish capital following a dramatic 4-4 draw.0d456f All four semi-finalists — including Athletic Club and Real Sociedad in the other tie — have lifted the cup in the past 13 years, but Barcelona enter as favorites following Real Madrid’s shock ouster.
Lookman, 28, who transferred from Atalanta in the winter window, made an instant mark by netting his 100th career goal in Atletico’s 5-0 quarter-final rout of Real Betis, becoming the first Nigerian to score in the Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A and Copa del Rey. He struck in the 37th minute to make it 3-0 and later assisted Antoine Griezmann’s fourth.
Coach Diego Simeone lauded the newcomer’s versatility: “His characteristics speak for themselves. He is a different player to all the ones we have, a specialist in one-on-one duels, although he also has associative play.”
“That allows us to play with different positions. He had a very good impact on the team. He felt good, hopefully we can help him to be an even better footballer, and he can help us to grow as a team.”
Atletico’s La Liga campaign has faltered, sitting 13 points adrift of leaders Barcelona with 45 points, compounded by a recent 1-0 defeat to Betis that snapped a patchy run of two wins in five outings.8346dc Barcelona, unbeaten in six and boasting 58 points from 23 matches, lead the league in goals scored (63) while conceding just 23. They cruised past Mallorca 3-0 last time out and are chasing a domestic treble after claiming the Spanish Super Cup.
Barcelona face absences, with Pedri and Marcus Rashford sidelined and Raphinha a doubt; Atletico could miss Pablo Barrios. The Basque derby in the parallel semi features Athletic’s late quarter-final heroics against Mallorca and Sociedad’s stoppage-time winner over Osasuna.
