Atalanta star sounds alarm over Real Madrid marksman’s threat – ‘Have to keep an eye on him’ | OneFootball

Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman shared his thoughts ahead of his team’s highly anticipated clash with Real Madrid, taking a moment to highlight the immense talent of Brazilian star Vinicius Jr.

The Atalanta forward acknowledged the upcoming match as a significant challenge but remained focused on his team’s preparations to leave a mark in the encounter.

Speaking during the pre-match press conference, Lookman emphasised that his team is concentrating on their own strengths and strategies.

“This Tuesday will be a very difficult match. But we are focusing on ourselves, on how we can do damage. It is another great challenge for us,” he began saying as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

Lookman pointed out that past performances – the UEFA Super Cup – are behind them, and this match is another chance to demonstrate the progress and quality his team has shown in recent games.

“What we did in the past will stay there. The game is the game and it is an opportunity to show the quality of the team and what we have achieved in recent games,” he added.

Praise for Vinicius Jr.

Vinicius Jr. trained before the Atalanta match. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

When discussing Vinicius, Lookman was full of praise for the Real Madrid winger, describing him as an exceptional talent with incredible skills.

He stressed the importance of keeping a close watch on the Brazilian, as his ability to impact games cannot be underestimated.

“He is a top player. He plays incredibly. We have to keep a close eye on him.”

Lookman also acknowledged that Real Madrid boast a roster filled with players who have the quality to decide matches, making it essential for Atalanta to deliver their best performance to compete at the highest level.

“Real Madrid has top players who make the difference, who decide games. But not only that, it is a team of great quality. We have to give it our all,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, all eyes are on Vinicius Júnior’s availability for the match. The Brazilian’s fitness has been a major talking point during Real Madrid’s training session in Italy.

While Carlo Ancelotti has assured that Vinicius is in good condition, the decision on whether he will feature in the match will only be made after a last-minute assessment of his fitness.