Nigerian forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman are set for challenging UEFA Champions League encounters on Tuesday as Galatasaray take on Barcelona, while Atletico Madrid host Manchester United on matchday two.
Osimhen’s Galatasaray welcome the Spanish champions to RAMS Park following a 3-1 loss to Sporting CP in their opening fixture. Barcelona, meanwhile, began their campaign with a 5-1 victory over Feyenoord and have won all nine matches they have played this season, including Saturday’s 3-0 triumph over Getafe.
The 27-year-old striker has enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign, recording six goals and three assists in five league appearances.
Osimhen returned from a groin injury on Friday, coming on as a substitute and assisting Mario Lemina’s 96th-minute goal in Galatasaray’s 3-1 victory over Kasimpasa. He is expected to feature from the start against the Catalan side.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick acknowledged the Nigerian’s quality ahead of the encounter, saying, “Galatasaray have a fantastic striker like Osimhen; they really have a great squad.”
Osimhen also spoke highly of his opponents, recognising the quality within the Barcelona squad.
“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.”
The Nigerian striker has previously faced Barcelona, scoring for Napoli in their 1-1 draw against the Spanish side in the first leg of their 2024 Champions League round-of-16 encounter. However, Napoli were eliminated after losing the return fixture 3-1.
Galatasaray have recorded one victory, two draws and five defeats in their eight previous Champions League meetings with Barcelona.
Elsewhere, Lookman’s Atletico Madrid will welcome Manchester United to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, with the match scheduled to kick off at 8pm Nigerian time.
Atletico suffered a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in their opening Champions League fixture but have since recorded four consecutive victories. Manchester United, on the other hand, defeated Sabah 4-0 on matchday one but have failed to win any of their last four matches across all competitions.
Lookman has scored once in all competitions for Atletico this season and could begin the encounter on the bench, with Julian Alvarez and Giuliano Simeone expected to lead the attack.
The Nigerian has scored once in three previous appearances against Manchester United, representing Everton in a 2-1 Premier League defeat in January 2021.
There will also be Nigerian involvement in Baku, where Sabah face Slavia Prague. Sabah forward Christian Nwachukwu is set to come up against four Nigerian players in the Slavia Prague squad: Mubarak Suleiman, Emmanuel Ayaosi, Moses David and Samuel Isifie.
Sabah began their European campaign with a 4-0 defeat to Manchester United, while Slavia Prague lost 3-2 to Lens and are now without a victory in their last 16 European matches.
Meanwhile, LASK forward Moses Usor is doubtful for Wednesday’s trip to Liverpool following a shoulder injury.
The Nigerian players will be eager to secure victories in this round of fixtures, having failed to record a win during the opening matchday.
