Bryan Idowu Battles Ronaldo In UCL; As Okereke, Dennis Confront PSG

Following Tuesday’s shocks and drama in the UEFA Champions League, the Nigerian presence in the elite competition continues into Wednesday night’s line up of matches, with the spotlight on Lokomotiv Moscow of Russia defender, Bryan Idowu against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus of Italy as well as the duo of Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure and David Chidozie Okereke of Club Brugge against Paris-Saint Germaine of France, megasportsarena.com reports.

On Tuesday, talking points were agog for Lille Metropole of France striker, Victor Osimhen, who scored in a 4-1 loss away to Valencia of Spain and Peter Olayinka, who was in top form for Slavia Prague of Czech Republic in a goalless draw away to Barcelona of Spain, such that expectations are high again for more from three Nigerians that are expected in action on Wednesday night.

The games start at 6.55pm, with Bayern Munich of Germany taking on visiting OlympiaKos of Greece, same time Super Eagles’ returnee, Idowu joins Lokomotiv at home against Ronaldo’s Juve, while the 9pm games will see Atalanta of Italy host Manchester City of England, as well as Bayer Leverkusen of Germany are at home with Atletico Madrid of Spain.

Also at 9pm, Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia welcome Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine, PSG entertain Okereke and Bonaventure’s Club Brugge of Belgium, Real Madrid of Spain welcome Galatasaray of Turkey and Red Star Belgrade of Serbia receive Tottenham Hotspur of England.

In Tuesday’s run of matches, Osimhen hit his second UCL goal to put Lille 1-0 up against Valencia at La Mestalla, where the Chile 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup top scorer netted his first-ever away goal for his French club in all competitions this season.

However, it was not enough to give Lille at least a point and end their poor away form in Europe as Valencia came back from that goal to win 4-1 thanks to a superb second half performance, as goals by Daniel Parejo, who cancelled out Osimhen’s opener with a penalty, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Ferran Torres and an Adama Soumaoro own goal sealed victory for the hosts.

Also on Tuesday, Peter Olayinka looked determined to make amends for his own goal that gave Barcelona a narrow win in the first leg, as he proved a handful for The Catalans’ defenders led by Gerard Pique.

Olayinka created one chance, one key pass, completed two take-ons as a brilliant display from him and his teammates earned a brilliant Slavia Prague side a share of the spoils against Lionel Messi’s Barcelona, who stay top of Group F on eight points, while Prague remains bottom.

Elsewhere, Paul Ebere Onuachu and Stephen Odey fell with Racing Genk of Belgium to the UCL defending champions, Liverpool, but the holders came survived a scare to win 2-1 at Anfield, thanks to Alex Chamberlain’s second half strike.

At Stamford Bridge, it was a dramatic night as Chelsea and Ajax Amsterdam served an eight-goal thriller, with Fikayo Tomori in the heart of The Blues’ defence, but Tammy Abraham netting one of two own goals on the night in Lopdon.

The game ended 4-4 with Chelsea pulling off an incredible comeback to earn a point from 1-4 down, as The Blues bounced back but were helped after Ajax were reduced to nine men with two red cards, after which goals from Caesar Azpilicueta, Jorginho (who scored two penalty kicks) and Reece James handed Frank Lampard’s men an unlikely point at home.