Osimhen, Lookman in tough UCL clashes vs Barca, United

Nigerian forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman face tough tests in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday (today) as Galatasaray host Barcelona and Atletico Madrid welcome Manchester United on matchday two.

Osimhen’s Galatasaray entertain the Spanish champions at RAMS Park after a 3-1 defeat away to Sporting CP in their opener. Barcelona beat Feyenoord 5-1 on matchday one and have won all nine of their games this season, including a 3-0 victory over Getafe on Saturday.

The 27-year-old Osimhen, who is in fine form, has scored six goals and provided three assists in five league appearances this season.

He returned from a groin injury on Friday, coming off the bench to set up Mario Lemina’s 96th-minute goal in the 3-1 win over Kasimpasa. He is expected to start against the Catalans.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick praised the Nigerian ahead of the game, saying, “Galatasaray have a fantastic striker like Osimhen; they really have a great squad.”

Osimhen also expressed admiration for his opponents.

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

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

Osimhen has previous experience against the Spanish giants, having scored for Napoli in a 1-1 draw with Barcelona in the first leg of their 2024 Champions League round-of-16 tie. However, Napoli’s hopes of advancing were dashed in the return leg, where they suffered a 3-1 defeat.

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Galatasaray have won once, drawn twice and lost five of their eight Champions League meetings with Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Lookman’s Atletico host Manchester United at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, with kick-off at 8pm Nigerian time.

Atletico lost 2-1 at Liverpool on matchday one but have won four straight games since. United beat Sabah 4-0 on matchday one but are winless in four matches across all competitions.

Lookman has scored once in all competitions for Atletico this season and may have to settle for a place on the bench, with Julian Alvarez and Giuliano Simeone favoured to lead the attack.

He has scored once in three career appearances against United, for Everton in a 2-1 Premier League defeat in January 2021.

There is also a Nigerian interest in Baku, where Sabah host Slavia Prague. Sabah’s Christian Nwachukwu faces four compatriots in the Slavia squad: Mubarak Suleiman, Emmanuel Ayaosi, Moses David and Samuel Isifie. Sabah lost 4-0 to United on matchday one, while Slavia lost 3-2 to Lens and have gone 16 European games without a win.

On Wednesday, LASK’s Moses Usor is a doubt for the trip to Liverpool after a shoulder injury.

The Nigerian contingent will be keen on a UCL win as none won on matchday one.