Birthday Boy Lookman Targets Champions League Goal to Move Clear of Ikpeba
Ademola Lookman will celebrate his 29th birthday on Tuesday hoping to reach double figures in UEFA Champions League goals when Atlético Madrid visit Stuttgart.
The Nigerian forward has scored nine goals in 25 appearances across four Champions League seasons, leaving him level with former Super Eagles striker Victor Ikpeba in second place on Nigeria’s all-time scoring list in the competition.
Lookman needs just one goal to move clear of Ikpeba, with Victor Osimhen leading the Nigerian chart on 16 goals.
Tuesday’s encounter also offers Lookman an opportunity to revisit a familiar opponent. He scored against Stuttgart in Atalanta’s 2-0 Champions League victory over the German club in November 2024.
Stuttgart have conceded in each of their last 13 home matches in the competition, a record Atlético will hope to exploit as they seek another positive result on German soil.
The Bundesliga side, however, have won three of their last four European matches against Spanish opposition, although they have yet to defeat a Spanish club in the Champions League proper.
Atlético have won their last three Champions League matches against German opposition, but all three victories came at home. Their only away win in the competition’s group or league phase in Germany came against Borussia Dortmund in October 1996.
Lookman’s attacking quality could prove crucial as Atlético attempt to extend their winning run against German clubs.
