Ademola Lookman admits that Real Madrid, a team that boasts a rich array of superstars, are the favourites to lift the UEFA Super Cup in Poland today, Soccernet.ng reports.
Lookman’s Atalanta will be the challengers as Real Madrid roll out their arsenal with the objective of lifting their sixth Super Cup triumph.
Atalanta are making only their first appearance in the one-match competition after the Italians lifted the Europa League title in May beating Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen in the final.
Lookman was the man-of-the-match on that surreal night in Dublin after the Nigerian forward netted all the three goals that powered Atalanta to victory.
All eyes will be on the Super Eagles striker to be the key man again for Atalanta but he insists Real Madrid are a different beast and it would take only the best efforts to overcome the Spaniards.
“Am I afraid of Real? I don’t want to disrespect Bayer Leverkusen, but the whole squad is excited to play against Real Madrid,” Lookman said at the pre-match press conference.
“We deserve to be here. We won the Europa League final and tomorrow we have another opportunity to show our qualities.
“We are very happy to be here and we will do everything to win the match. Let each of us give 110%, that is the best we can do.”
Real Madrid are not only the biggest club in the world but they also have some of the best players on the planet.
2018 World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe and Brazilian teen wonder Endrick have been added to a frontline that already boasts the talents of Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo.
While this is the first time all these top players will be available to coach Carlo Ancelotti, Lookman insists there is no good time to play against Real Madrid.
“They’re a top team, top players. I don’t think there’s a best time to play against them,” Lookman added.
“But we’re focused on ourselves and our game, on how we can play. Real are dangerous, but we’ve got the skills too, and they’ll have to stop us too.”
Real Madrid claimed a 1-0 win in Bergano and a 3-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu when they met with Atalanta in the Champions League Round of 16 in 2021.