UEFA Champions League: Guirassy and Hakimi hit, Osimhen fails to shine
The Champions League’s first-leg play-offs have pleased the African internationals. From Serhou Guirassy to Achraf Hakimi via Victor Osimhen, the representatives of the continent weighed heavily in already decisive meetings.
Philemon MBALE · Author profile ·
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Borussia Dortmund - Atalanta (2-0)
Borussia Dortmund took a serious option on the qualification. And as often this season, Guirassy showed the way.
After only three minutes, the Guinean striker headed in a Ryerson cross to open the scoring. A clinical gesture, symbol of an authoritarian start for the Germans.
But his influence did not stop there. Just before the break, he turned into a decisive setter by offering a caviar to Maximilian Beier for the goal of the break (2-0). Striker and passer, Guirassy confirms his status as a strong man of the BVB on the European stage.
In a match generally mastered, Dortmund displayed their technical and athletic superiority against an unresolved Atalanta. The Marsupials will make the trip to Italy with a comfortable mattress.
Galatasaray - Juventus (5-2)
Spectacular evening in Istanbul. Galatasaray knocked down and then overwhelmed Juventus in a one-sided second period.
If Victor Osimhen did not score, his impact was decisive. Incessant pressing, high recovery on the opening goal, inspired deviations: the Nigerian dynamited the Turinese defense. He is directly involved on several goals, notably by offering a brace to Noa Lang.
Beyond statistics, Osimhen embodied the intensity and aggressiveness of a conquering Galatasaray. At 5-2, the Turks took a serious option before returning to Italy.
Monaco - Paris SG (2-3)
Led 2-0 PSG found the resources to overthrow Monaco.
In the wake of a glowing Désiré Doué, Achraf Hakimi played a key role. The Moroccan right-back equalised just before the break (2-2), taking advantage of a ball poorly handled by Köhn. A crucial goal that revived his in a delicate context.
Offensively sharp, always available in his right lane, Hakimi confirmed that he remains one of the most influential African wingbacks in European football.
Paris wins 3-2 and approaches the return to the Park with a slight advantage, but nothing is yet certain.
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
In a tense climate marked by a racist episode against Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid snatched a precious victory from Lisbon (1-0).
Even if no African scored in this meeting, several internationals of the continent were at the heart of the game, like Aurélien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, precious in the Madrid balance.