Atlético de Madrid dazzler Ademola Lookman is excited about facing La Liga rivals Barcelona in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League.

It was a difficult night for Atletico Madrid but Diego Simeone's team managed to get over the line despite a 3-2 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in north London on Wednesday night.

After Randal Kolo Muani’s header broke the deadlock, Julián Álvarez fired into the top corner to restore parity after being set up by Lookman.

It marked the Nigerian's eighth goal involvement (4 goals, 4 assists) since his deadline day move from Atalanta in the winter transfer market.

Lookman admitted that advancing to the quarterfinals of the Champions League was far from straightforward, given the quality of the opposition. 

“I was very happy to be into the next round. Every game is hard—everyone knows this competition and the quality of the teams—so we are happy to have played today,” he told UEFA TV.

“In the last leg, obviously we played very well at home. We scored five goals and that has taken us through. There are positives to take from tonight’s performance, so it’s important going into the next round.”

With Tottenham Hotspur leading 1–0, many teams might have collapsed, but Atletico Madrid demonstrated their resilience, and were rewarded with an equaliser.

"They scored a goal and it is easy to collapse but with the mentality that we have is to stay calm, to stay in the game and to get opportunities and we did," Lookman added. 

It was special night for the former England U20 international as he came back to London, the city where he was born.

"Of course, it's nice to be back in London. I call it home so it's nice to be back here. We are through to the next round, that's the most important."

Attention now turns to a blockbuster quarterfinal clash against Barcelona, in what promises to be one of the standout ties of the round.

"It’s a special game against another tough opponent. We need to be ready for that and prepare in the right way. The next game is at the weekend, and we take every match as it comes—game by game,” Lookman concluded. 

The winner of the Atletico Madrid versus Barcelona tie will face either Arsenal or Sporting CP in the semifinals.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel