Osimhen, Lookman lead Nigerian stars facing tough European tests

Nigerian footballers shall be below the highlight within the UEFA Champions League this week, with Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman facing heavyweight opposition because the league part enters its second matchday.

Osimhen’s Galatasaray welcome Barcelona to RAMS Park on Tuesday, whereas Lookman and Atlético Madrid host Manchester United on the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Elsewhere, Christian Nwachukwu’s Sabah tackle Slavia Prague, who’ve 4 Nigerians of their squad, earlier than Moses Usor’s LASK face Liverpool on Wednesday.

Raphael Onyedika and Zaidu Sanusi additionally characteristic within the wider Nigerian contingent, though Sanusi is reportedly unavailable for Porto’s assembly with Real Betis.

None of the Nigerian gamers featured to this point secured a victory on the opening matchday, leaving loads to play for as they appear to make a stronger impression in Europe’s premier membership competitors.

Osimhen faces Barcelona after Galatasaray damage enhance

Victor Osimhen is anticipated to be a serious attacking menace when Galatasaray host Barcelona in one in every of Tuesday’s headline fixtures.

The Turkish champions wish to get well from a 3-1 defeat away to Sporting CP of their Champions League opener, whereas Barcelona arrive in Istanbul after thrashing Feyenoord 5-1 and beating Getafe 3-0 in La Liga.

The Catalans have loved a powerful begin to the season, successful all 9 of their matches throughout competitions, making Osimhen’s potential return to the beginning lineup significantly vital for the hosts.

The 27-year-old has registered six targets and three assists in 5 league appearances this season. He returned from a groin damage on Friday, coming off the bench to arrange Mario Lemina’s stoppage-time purpose in Galatasaray’s 3-1 victory over Kasimpasa.

Barcelona supervisor Hansi Flick has acknowledged the menace posed by the Nigerian, praising each the striker and Galatasaray’s squad forward of the competition.

“Galatasaray have a fantastic striker like Osimhen; they really have a great squad,” Flick stated.

Osimhen, in the meantime, recognises the standard of the problem awaiting his aspect however is relishing the chance to check himself in opposition to one in every of Europe’s main groups.

“Barcelona is a very big team. You shouldn’t be happy about playing against them, because they have very quality players,” he stated, in accordance with Futbol Arena.

“It will help us both collectively and individually. I’m happy for matches like this. It will be a great match.”

The Nigerian has already scored in opposition to Barcelona, discovering the online for Napoli in a 1-1 draw within the first leg of their 2024 Champions League round-of-16 tie. Napoli subsequently misplaced 3-1 within the return fixture and have been eradicated.

Galatasaray’s historic report in opposition to Barcelona provides little consolation, with the Turkish aspect successful solely one in every of their eight earlier Champions League conferences, alongside two attracts and 5 defeats.

Osimhen will hope his health has recovered sufficiently for him to lead the assault and assist Galatasaray safe a outcome that might revive their European marketing campaign.

Lookman targets Manchester United take a look at as Simeone calls for extra

Ademola Lookman faces a distinct problem as Atlético Madrid welcome Manchester United to the Spanish capital on Tuesday, with kick-off scheduled for 8:00 pm Nigerian time.

Atlético suffered a 2-1 defeat at Liverpool on the opening matchday however have responded with 4 consecutive victories throughout competitions. United, in contrast, started their European marketing campaign with a convincing 4-0 win over Sabah however have since struggled to keep up that momentum.

Lookman has scored as soon as in 9 appearances throughout competitions this season and will need to accept a spot on the bench, with Julián Álvarez and Giuliano Simeone among the many choices favoured to lead Atlético’s assault.

Manager Diego Simeone has acknowledged that the Nigeria worldwide has but to rediscover his greatest type however has inspired him to remain assured and hold taking dangers.

“Lookman isn’t playing the way he wants to, and we want to see him, but he works every day trying to get back to that form,” Simeone stated, in accordance with Spanish reviews.

“He’s a good dribbler; we need him to be, to lose the ball, to keep trying.”

The feedback underline the problem facing Lookman as he seeks to re-establish himself in Atlético’s attacking plans. His potential to beat defenders and create alternatives may show helpful in opposition to United, significantly if the match opens up within the last third.

Lookman has confronted the English membership earlier than, scoring for Everton in a 2-1 Premier League defeat in January 2021. He will now hope to make an even bigger influence within the Champions League, whether or not from the beginning or as a bench possibility.

Nwachukwu leads Nigerian curiosity in Sabah vs Slavia Prague

Tuesday’s assembly between Sabah and Slavia Prague gives one other notable Nigerian storyline, with Christian Nwachukwu representing the Azerbaijani membership in opposition to 4 compatriots within the Czech aspect.

Nwachukwu’s Sabah suffered a 4-0 defeat to Manchester United of their Champions League opener and shall be keen to reply in entrance of their supporters.

The 20-year-old ahead is among the many Nigerian gamers trying to make their mark within the competitors. However, Sabah face a Slavia aspect additionally determined to gather their first factors after shedding 3-2 to Lens.

Slavia’s Nigerian contingent contains Mubarak Suleiman, Emmanuel Ayaosi, David Moses and Samuel Isife. Their presence provides an intriguing dimension to the fixture, with a number of Nigerians doubtlessly that includes on reverse sides.

For Nwachukwu, the instant problem helps Sabah enhance on their opening efficiency in opposition to United. Slavia, in the meantime, will look to show their attacking promise right into a outcome after falling quick in a five-goal contest in opposition to Lens.

With Nigerian gamers unfold throughout each squads, the encounter provides a number of of them an opportunity to make a decisive contribution to their groups’ European campaigns.

Usor faces Liverpool problem as LASK search first Points

On Wednesday, LASK welcome Liverpool, with Nigerian ahead Moses Usor anticipated to overlook the encounter due to a shoulder damage.

Usor featured for the Austrian aspect of their opening Champions League match and shall be upset to overlook the chance to face one of many competitors’s most recognisable golf equipment.

Liverpool, in the meantime, will journey to Austria trying to preserve their robust begin to the league part after beating Atlético Madrid 2-1 of their opener.

Usor’s absence would go away LASK with out one in every of their Nigerian attacking choices for the fixture, though the ahead will hope to return to motion as soon as he has recovered.

Onyedika and Zaidu add to Nigerian Champions League curiosity

Raphael Onyedika is one other Nigerian to look at this week following his transfer to Stuttgart. The midfielder’s aspect is scheduled to face Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday, permitting him to contribute as Stuttgart pursue their first factors of the league part.

Onyedika has constructed a repute as a combative, technically succesful midfielder, and his potential to guard the defence could possibly be vital in a contest the place small errors are sometimes punished.

Zaidu Sanusi’s Porto, in the meantime, are set to face Real Betis in Spain on Wednesday. However, reviews point out the Nigerian left-back is unavailable on account of damage, so his involvement is doubtful.

Porto misplaced their opening Champions League match to Manchester City and can look to reply in opposition to a Betis aspect that started its marketing campaign with a 3-2 win over Lille.

Nigerian Stars look to make their Mark

From Osimhen’s battle in opposition to Barcelona to Lookman’s take a look at in opposition to Manchester United, the second matchday provides a number of probabilities for Nigerian gamers to make an influence within the Champions League.

The highlight may even fall on Nwachukwu and the 4 Nigerians at Slavia Prague, whereas Onyedika’s Stuttgart project and LASK’s assembly with Liverpool add additional curiosity to Wednesday’s programme.

After a troublesome opening spherical for the featured gamers, the target is evident: ship stronger performances, assist their golf equipment gather beneficial factors, and provides Nigerian soccer followers extra causes to comply with the Champions League this week.