Ademola Lookman was rested at the weekend by Atletico Madrid for Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League trip to Barcelona.

Ademola Lookman was one of several key players left out by coach Diego Simeone from Saturday’s 2-1 home loss to the same Barcelona in La Liga.

Both teams also clashed in the two-legged semifinal of the Copa del Rey, which Atletico won 4-3 on aggregate.

Atletico were very critical of the Super Eagles for playing Ademola Lookman in the two friendlies against Iran and Jordan last week even as they have very important matches coming this month including the Champions League ties against Barcelona and the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad.

The post Atletico Madrid rest Ademola Lookman for Champions League rematch vs Barcelona first appeared on Score Nigeria.

Turkish Super Lig leading scorer Paul Onuachu has thrown a huge championship challenge to leaders and defending champions Galatasaray.

This was after he scored his first-ever goal against the Istanbul giants to help Trabzonspor win 2-1 at home and throw the title wide open with six rounds of matches to the end of the season.

Onuachu scored his ninth headed goal of the season to inspire a home victory that has now taken Trabzonspor within a point of Galatasaray.

Galatasaray have a game in hand, a rescheduled fixture against Goztepe Wednesday, and Onuachu said he expects them to drop points, while Trabzonspor keep pushing forward.

“From now on, we have tough matches ahead of us. Every match is different; we’ll take it one game at a time and go out on the pitch to win them all,” vowed Onuachu, who has netted 22 goals and made two assists thus far.

“Goztepe are a strong team, they can take points from Galatasaray.

“We’ll win and continue on our way.”

Trabzonspor were last crowned champions of Turkey four years ago.

They are now second in the standings with 63 points from 28 games, a point behind Galatasaray, who play an outstanding match away at Goztepe Wednesday.

Trabzonspor will next be guests of Alanyaspor Saturday.

The post Onuachu throws title challenge to Galatasaray first appeared on Score Nigeria.

Former Super Eagles winger Samuel Kalu scored a brace for Botev Plodiv to trounce Spartak Varna 5-0 in a crucial Bulgarian league tie.

Kalu scored in the 18th and 53rd minutes.

The big win has lifted Plodiv outside the relegation playoffs bracket with two rounds of matches to the end of the regular season.

They are eighth in the standings with 36 points from 28 matches.

The post Samuel Kalu fires Bulgarian club to crucial victory first appeared on Score Nigeria.