Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika has joined Bayer Leverkusen duo Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella, along with Lille’s Chuba Akpom, as the only Nigerians remaining in this season’s UEFA Champions League campaign.
Meanwhile, Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze, and AS Monaco’s rising star George Ilenikhena saw their journeys come to an end in the round of 16 playoffs, falling to Club Brugge, Feyenoord, and Benfica, respectively, on Tuesday night.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side had hoped to overturn their 2-1 first-leg loss to Brugge but saw their early momentum cut short when Chemsdine Talbi put the visitors ahead in just the third minute. Atalanta pressed for an equalizer, but Talbi struck again in the 27th minute to double Brugge’s lead.
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The hosts came agonizingly close to pulling one back just before halftime, only for Brugge to capitalize on the counter, with Ferran Jutglà making it 3-0 with the last kick of the half.
Ademola Lookman was introduced at half time and the Super Eagles forward had his name on the score sheet with only 35 seconds on the pitch. He had the opportunity to reduce the deficit further but his poorly taken penalty was saved by Simon Mignolet. Despite several efforts to get back into the game, the visitors held on for a spot in the round of 16.
Over at the San Siro, 10-man AC Milan failed to progress after a 1-1 draw with Feyenoord, sealing their fate with a 2-1 aggregate defeat. The Rossoneri, needing to overturn a 1-0 first-leg loss, got off to a flying start when Santiago Giménez scored in the opening minute. However, despite relentless attacking pressure, Milan couldn’t add to their lead as Feyenoord delivered a defensive masterclass.
Milan’s night took a turn for the worse in the 51st minute when Theo Hernández was sent off for a second yellow card. Feyenoord made their numerical advantage count, with substitute Julián Carranza netting the equalizer in the 71st minute. Chukwueze was introduced in the 83rd minute, replacing Yunus Musah, but it was too little, too late as Milan bowed out of the competition.
At the Estádio da Luz, Monaco failed to overturn their first-leg 1-0 home defeat to Benfica, with the Portuguese side coming from behind to draw 3-3 and advance to the round of 16 on a 4-3 aggregate.
Ilenikhena scored Monaco’s third goal in the 81st minute with the team hoping the goal will be enough to force the game into extra time but Orkun Kökçü broke Monaco’s hearts three minutes later to hand his side the ticket to the next round.
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