Lookman reacts to 50th career assist

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has reacted after providing the 50th assist of his senior club career in Atlético Madrid’s 1-1 Champions League draw against VfB Stuttgart on Tuesday.

Lookman came on at half-time with Atlético trailing 1-0 to a 36th-minute goal from Jamie Leweling. Barely a minute into the second half, he found Julián Álvarez, who levelled 80 seconds after the restart. According to Transfermarkt, the assist took Lookman to 50 in senior club football.

Speaking to the club’s media, the Nigerian said the visitors wanted to change the game after a difficult first half.

“I think they obviously started very well. A strong team playing away from home is never easy. But we wanted to try to change the tie in the second half, which we did with the goal,” he said.

Atlético were reduced to 10 men when Morten Hjulmand was sent off in the 64th minute for a reckless challenge on Angelo Stiller. Lookman said the team stayed together to earn a point.

“We kept pushing, but unfortunately, we went down to 10 men. We dug in, we showed our fight together, stuck together, and we take a point away from home,” the former Everton winger said.

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He also said he had no doubt Álvarez would score from his delivery.

“We just tried to look out for him in the box; he is deadly in the box. So, yeah, I knew he would score,” he said.

Lookman thanked the travelling supporters for their backing.

“The whole match, we could hear them pushing us throughout the game. Especially after the 65th minute, they kept going, and they were even louder. So, thanks to them, thanks for them for the extra energy,” he said.

Stuttgart’s best late chance fell to defender Jeff Chabot, who headed wide from a Maximilian Mittelstädt corner.

In the same competition, Slavia Prague’s Mubarak Suleiman became the first Nigerian teenager to start a Champions League game since Alex Iwobi did so for Arsenal against Barcelona in March 2016, according to Opta Joe. He started in Slavia’s 2-2 draw away to Fenerbahce.