Julius Okorie
Super Eagles and Atalanta forward,, Ademola Lookman, is in a killer mood ahead of today’s UEFA Champions League clash against visiting Real Madrid at the Gewiss Stadium (Bergamo), Italy.
The Nigeria international who has been effective for both club and country was on target in 2-1 defeat of AC Milan in the Serie A Game Week 15 clash.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelCharles De Ketelaere had shot Atalanta into the lead in the 12th minute with Lookman increasing the tally for the homers in the 87th minute.
Atalanta go into tonight’s clash on the heels of five wins in five matches. Lookman and his teammates scored a total of 15 goals in those five Games including the 6-1 demolition of Young Boys in their last Champions League outing.
Real Madrid on the other hand, go into the clash on the back of three wins and two loses, their last champions league outing ended in a 2-0 loss to Liverpool.
The big question would be can Real Madrid stop Atalanta’s winning streak tonight?
Just as Atalanta will be hoping to see Lookman who has been nominated for the this year’s CAF Player of the year award shine tonight, compatriot, Victor Boniface, will equally be featuring for Germany side, Bayer Leverkusen as they face visiting Inter Milan.
READ ALSO: Ademola Lookman: Looking Good For CAF Footballer Of The Year
Boniface faced criticism in the AFCON qualifiers for what was dubbed in some quarters as below par delivery.
The criticism was however slight, considering that it did not stop the Super Eagles from qualifying for 2025 AFCON in Morocco even before the last qualifier against Rwanda was played.
Inter are one of three teams still unbeaten in the league phase and lead Leverkusen by three points in the standings, with both on track for an automatic place in the last 16.
Seeking new heights after securing a first Bundesliga title and claiming the DFB-Pokal for good measure, Leverkusen aim to reach the Champions League’s knockout rounds for the first time since 2016 and ultimately challenge for the trophy.
Real Madrid have been boosted with the return of with Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham.
Vinicius has missed his side’s last four matches in all competitions with a muscular problem, but the Brazilian is back sooner than expected and is set to be included in the starting XI for the reigning champions.
Bellingham is also available after a fitness scare against Girona, with the midfielder being forced off in the second period of his side’s 3-0 victory over the Catalan side on Saturday night.
Rodrygo missed Saturday’s league game with a muscular problem, but it was only a minor issue, and the Brazilian is also in the squad, with Los Blancos taking a strong group to Italy for the standout European fixture.
Other fixtures lined up tonight include Liverpool away to Girona, Aston Villa against RB Leipzig and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich away to Shakhtar Donetsk.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
