By Enitan Abdultawab

League football resumed last week for another round of matches after the international break that lasted for two weeks.

Last week’s round of matches would also be the last matchday that will usher the first round of matches in the UEFA Champions League, a competition which will now be played in a new format as opposed to the Round Robin format it used to be.

Like before, Nigerian players who are plying their trade in Europe started and starred with their respective clubs and have featured again for their clubs after the two matches they played on international duty – a 3-0 win versus Benin Republic and a stalemate away at Rwanda.

Let’s take a look at them:

Saturday

Joe Aribo was an unused substitute for Southampton United in their 0 – 3 home loss to Manchester United.

Wilfred Ndidi provided the two assists to set up the two goals Leicester City scored at Crystal Palace. The match ended 2-2, and Ndidi was subbed off in the 78th minute.

Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi featured for Fulham in their 1-1 apiece draw at home against West Ham. While Bassey featured throughout, Iwobi was hooked off in the 66th minute.

Ola Aina starred at right-back for Nottingham Forest in their emphatic 0 – 1 away win at Anfield. Taiwo Awoniyi, however, was an unused substitute in that encounter.

In Spain, Christantus Uche was part of Getafe’s line-up that lit up an interesting clash away at Sevilla but lost the match by a lone goal. For Sevilla, however, Kelechi Iheanacho was an unused substitute while Chidera Ejuke started but was hooked off in the 67th minute for Lukebakio.

Elsewhere in Germany, Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella featured for Bayern Leverkusen. The former struck twice and assisted another in an emphatic 1-4 away win at Hoffenheim. He made way for Patrick Shirck in the 86th minute, eventually while Tella was hooked off in the 57th minute for Jerome Frimpong.

In Italy, Tyrone Ebuehi did not feature for Empoli when they played a goalless draw at home against Juventus due to an injury.

Samuel Chukweze came on in the 76th minute for Christian Pulisic and AC Milan pummelled Venezia by goals to nil.

Faraway in Turkey, it was a fairytale debut for Victor Osimhen as he featured throughout Galatasaray’s match and victory at home versus Rizespor. The former Napoli man assisted Galatasaray’s second goal. On the other side for Rizespor, Ibrahim Olawoyin and Babajide David featured, too.

Sunday

Semi Ajayi helped West Bromich man the defence in their 0-3 away victory at Portsmouth.

In Germany, Frank Onyeka starred for this new club, Ausburg, in their 3-1 home victory against St. Pauli. He created the assist for the second goal and was substituted in the 84th minute.

In Italy, Ademola Lookman continues his impressive run as he netted one and assisted another when Atalanta beat Fiorentina at home by three goals to two.

In France, Akor Adams featured as the lone striker for Montpellier but could not save his team from a 3-0 loss away at Rennes.

For Nantes, Simon Moses played all the minutes at home versus Reims as they threw away a goal lead to lose 1-2 at home.

In Turkey, Kenneth Omerou was conspicuously absent for Kasimpasa in their 0 – 3 home defeat to Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbache. Bright Osayi-Samuel did not feature for Fenerbache due to injury.

Monday

Bruno Onyemachi is expected to start for Boaviasta in their match away at Estrela Amadova.

Midfielder Dele Fisayo-Basiru might come off the bench for Lazio later today when they host Hellas Verona.

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