Nigerian forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman face challenging UEFA Champions League encounters on Tuesday as Galatasaray host Barcelona and Atletico Madrid welcome Manchester United on matchday two.
Osimhen’s Galatasaray will look to recover from their 3-1 opening defeat to Sporting CP when they take on Barcelona at RAMS Park. The Spanish champions arrive in impressive form after beating Feyenoord 5-1 in their opening European fixture and recording a 3-0 victory over Getafe at the weekend.
Osimhen has scored six goals and provided three assists in five league appearances this season. The striker returned from a groin injury on Friday, coming off the bench to set up Mario Lemina’s stoppage-time goal in Galatasaray’s 3-1 win over Kasimpasa.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick acknowledged the threat posed by the Nigerian, describing him as a fantastic striker and praising Galatasaray’s squad.
Osimhen also welcomed the challenge, saying the encounter against Barcelona would benefit the Turkish champions both collectively and individually.
The forward previously scored against Barcelona for Napoli in a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their 2024 Champions League round-of-16 tie, although Napoli subsequently lost 3-1 in the return fixture.
Meanwhile, Lookman’s Atletico Madrid host Manchester United at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm Nigerian time.
Atletico lost 2-1 to Liverpool in their opening match but have since won four consecutive games. Lookman has scored once in all competitions this season and could begin on the bench, with Julian Alvarez and Giuliano Simeone competing for attacking positions.
Elsewhere, Sabah face Slavia Prague in Baku, with Christian Nwachukwu taking on four Nigerian teammates in the Czech side: Mubarak Suleiman, Emmanuel Ayaosi, Moses David and Samuel Isifie.
LASK forward Moses Usor is also a doubt for Wednesday’s trip to Liverpool because of a shoulder injury.
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