UCL: Why Lookman Struggled Against Barcelona

Ademola Lookman

Former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou has explained why Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman struggled to make an attacking impact in Atlético Madrid’s 2-0 victory over FC Barcelona in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Kalou noted that Lookman was deployed in a more defensive role during the encounter at Camp Nou, limiting his usual attacking influence.

According to the Ivorian, the tactical setup required Lookman to prioritize defensive responsibilities, preventing him from expressing his natural attacking strengths.

“In this type of game, he probably didn’t enjoy himself because he had to focus more on defending than attacking,” Kalou said in an interview with SuperSport.

Lookman, who recently joined Atlético Madrid from Atalanta during the winter transfer window, was substituted in the second half for Alexander Sørloth, who later scored the second goal of the match.

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Julián Álvarez had earlier opened the scoring with a stunning free-kick late in the first half, beating Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García.

Despite his subdued performance, Kalou expressed strong confidence in Lookman’s abilities and future in the competition.

“His strength is going forward, but the most important thing is the victory. He will be happy knowing they have a strong chance of reaching the semi-finals,” he added.

Kalou also emphasized that Lookman continues to enjoy widespread support across Africa as he progresses in the UEFA Champions League.

The Nigerian forward has impressed in Europe this season, recording two goals and four assists in 12 Champions League appearances.