Sport
Lookman Claims Atalanta Have Their Heads Held High Despite Real Madrid Loss
Ademola Lookman has praised his Atalanta side for their strong showing against Real Madrid, despite suffering a narrow 3-2 loss in their UEFA Champions League clash at the Gewiss Stadium on Tuesday night.
The match marked the first defeat for the reigning UEFA Europa League champions in the Champions League this season, but Atalanta’s performance sent a clear message: they are capable of competing with Europe’s best.
Lookman, who scored Atalanta’s second goal in the intense encounter, was named Man of the Match for his standout contribution.
His goal helped keep the pressure on the Spanish giants, but despite their efforts, Atalanta could not find an equalizer after a dramatic late goal from Real Madrid sealed the victory.
Reflecting on the match, Lookman shared his thoughts with UEFA.com, emphasizing the team’s pride in their performance, despite the result.
“It was a tough game, and Real Madrid took their chances when they had them,” Lookman said.
“We knew going into the match that it would be a hard-fought contest, and although we were unlucky not to come away with a win, we have our heads held high.”
Although disappointed with the final scoreline, the Nigerian forward expressed the belief that Atalanta had shown enough to demonstrate their ability to compete at the highest level.
“We are disappointed with the result because we felt we could have done more,” Lookman continued, “but there’s also a lot of pride in how we played.
We showed that we can go toe-to-toe with the best.”
Frank Onyeka remains hopeful about the Super Eagles’ chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite their struggles in the qualifiers so far.
With just one win, four draws, and one loss in their six matches, the Eagles are currently sitting in fourth place in Group C, trailing leaders South Africa by six points.
However, Onyeka believes there’s still a chance for the team to turn things around. “I know the situation is tough, but we still have a shot. If we win our next four games, we can make it,” the Augsburg midfielder said in an interview with Oma Sports.
Nigeria’s World Cup qualification campaign resumes in September, with crucial matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe on the horizon.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on Bukayo Saka, calling him a grounded and dedicated player who truly loves the club.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of their Premier League clash with Brentford, Arteta said, “Saka is incredibly humble, down-to-earth, and fully committed to Arsenal. His connection with the club and everyone around it runs deep.”
Arteta also shared how happy he is about Saka’s desire to keep pushing for success with the team. “It’s great to know he wants to stay here and win with us,” he added.
The 22-year-old winger has been in top form this season. After recently coming back from an injury, Saka made a strong statement with his performance in Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final clash against Real Madrid, showing once again why he’s such a key player for the Gunners.
Victor Osimhen is confident Galatasaray have what it takes to finish the season strong and lift the Turkish Super Lig title.
The Yellow and Reds are battling it out with city rivals Fenerbahce in a tight title race. After a 2-0 win over third-placed Samsunspor on Friday night, Galatasaray now sit six points clear at the top.
Osimhen and Yunus Akgun both found the net in the win, giving their side a crucial boost in the title run.
Speaking after the match, Osimhen praised the team’s spirit and belief.
“Our focus is clear. We want to win, and we know we have the quality to do it,” he said. “It won’t be easy, we’ve got tough games ahead, but we’re ready to give everything.”
He added that the team is determined to push through and secure a third straight league title.
“We just have to fight every step of the way. If we stay focused, I believe we’ll come out on top,” he said.
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