Atlético Madrid will look to confirm the impact of their latest attacking addition when they host Real Betis at the Cívitas Metropolitano on Sunday, with Ademola Lookman poised for his first La Liga appearance in front of the club’s home supporters.
According to reports from Complete Sports, the Nigerian international is expected to be included as Atlético face the same opposition he encountered just three days earlier, giving the fixture added intrigue.
The encounter comes shortly after Lookman announced himself in emphatic fashion in the Copa del Rey, offering an early glimpse of what he could bring to Diego Simeone’s side.
That cup tie on Thursday marked Lookman’s first outing in Atlético colours and could hardly have gone better on a personal level.
In a resounding 5-0 victory over Real Madrid, the winger scored his first goal for the club and also provided an assist, making an immediate impression despite having only recently joined the squad.
The performance raised expectations and placed the spotlight firmly on his next appearance.
Sunday’s league match presents a different test, but one that carries symbolic weight.
It will be Lookman’s first opportunity to perform at the Metropolitano in La Liga, directly in front of supporters eager to see how the new signing fits into Simeone’s system.
Facing Betis again so soon offers continuity, but also the challenge of proving that his cup display was not a one-off.
Lookman completed his move from Atalanta Bergamo on the final day of the winter transfer window, arriving with the reputation of a dynamic and versatile forward.
At 28, he brings experience as well as attacking flair to an Atlético side firmly in the title conversation.
The Madrid club currently sit third in the La Liga table, having collected 45 points from 22 matches, and will be keen to maintain pressure on those above them.
Real Betis, meanwhile, travel to the capital occupying fifth place with 35 points.
Their position underlines the competitive nature of the contest and suggests Atlético will need to be at their best to secure another positive result.
For Lookman, however, the focus will be more personal: translating his early cup success into league form and confirming his place in a squad with high ambitions.
Three days after his eye-catching debut, the Metropolitano awaits further confirmation that Atlético’s new signing can deliver when it matters most.
