Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has heaped praise on his new Nigerian star, Ademola Lookman, ahead of the winger's potential debut in tonight's crucial Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Betis.
The club officially announced the signing of the 2024 African Footballer of the Year from Atalanta on Monday in a €40 million deal. After Lookman's first training session on Tuesday, Simeone was visibly impressed.
“He joined the group very quickly, and you could immediately notice his physical strength, his speed, his ability to change the play, and his power in the final third,” Simeone raved in his pre-match press conference.
The Argentine coach emphasized the importance of integrating top talent for the team's benefit. “We hope he can help us in the way he believes he can, and in the way we expect. And obviously, those important partnerships are formed for the good of the team.”
Lookman, who has been assigned the number 22 jersey, could make his Atletico debut alongside another new signing, Obed Vargas, in the high-stakes clash at La Cartuja. This match is the first of two meetings with Manuel Pellegrini's Betis this week, with a La Liga fixture to follow at the Metropolitano this weekend.
Atletico holds a strong historical record against Betis, with 75 wins in 142 meetings. They won their last encounter in October 2-0. However, a Copa semi-final presents a different challenge, and Simeone will be hoping Lookman's immediate impact can propel his side closer to silverware.
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