Lookman warns Real Madrid about ‘different’ Atalanta | OneFootball

Atalanta have already played and lost against Real Madrid recently in the opening outing of the season, but Ademola Lookman believes his side have since ‘grown together’ and ‘become stronger’.

La Dea met Carlo Ancelotti’s side last August in the European Supercup, with the Spanish giants emerging 2-0 winners, but the Nerazzurri still had to make the last summer signings and needed time to integrate the new players back then.

Gasperini’s outfit also lost three of their opening five Serie A games between August and September before starting a nine-game winning streak, which eventually resulted in them taking the top spot last weekend by leapfrogging Napoli.

Real Madrid’s French forward #09 Kylian Mbappe (L) scores during the UEFA Super Cup football match between Real Madrid and Atalanta BC in Warsaw, on August 14, 2024. (Photo by Sergei GAPON / AFP) (Photo by SERGEI GAPON/AFP via Getty Images)

That’s why Lookman insisted that Tuesday night’s Champions League match against Los Blancos will be ‘another opportunity to prove’ how Atalanta are different compared to a few months ago.

Lookman: Atalanta ‘can’t wait’ to prove they’re ‘stronger’ against Real Madrid

“We lost the last match we played against them in August, in the Super Cup, but since then we have grown together as a team,” the former Leicester forward told Sky Sport Italia, as quoted by TMW.

epa11685824 Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman celebrates after scoring the 5-0 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Atalanta BC and Hellas Verona, in Bergamo, Italy, 26 October 2024. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

“Now we are a different group, one that has become stronger. We have shown that consistently, and tomorrow will be another opportunity to prove it, and I can’t wait.”

Coming off the back of a Europa League hat-trick in the final game of last season, Lookman is once again proving one of La Dea’s most inspired players, having racked up 10 goals and five assists from 17 outings across all competitions.