Champions League: Super Eagles ace joins PSG, Madrid, Juventus stars in Team of the Week

The UEFA Champions League has released its official Team of the Week after the completion of the playoff round matches, Afrik-Foot reports.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen was included in the selection announced on UEFA’s official social media platforms on Thursday afternoon.

Osimhen earned his place following an outstanding performance for Galatasaray in their dramatic qualification against Juventus in Turin on Wednesday night.

The Nigeria international scored the decisive goal after Juventus had forced extra time with a 3-0 win in regulation time. Galatasaray responded strongly, completing a 3-2 turnaround on the night to secure a 7-5 aggregate victory.

Osimhen was named Man of the Match for the encounter, his fourth such award in this season’s competition. The goal also took his Champions League tally this campaign to seven.

Champions League Team of the Week lineup

Osimhen’s latest performance placed him firmly in the history books, as he became Galatasaray’s highest-scoring foreign player in Champions League history.

The former Napoli forward also strengthened his status as Nigeria’s all-time leading scorer in the competition, extending his record to 16 goals, seven more than former Super Eagles forward Obafemi Martins.

In UEFA’s Team of the Week, Osimhen leads the attack alongside Alexander Sørloth, who scored a hat-trick for Atlético Madrid in their 4-1 victory over Club Brugge KV.

The midfield includes FK Bodø/Glimt’s Jens Petter Hauge, alongside Real Madrid ace Aurélien Tchouaméni, Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, and Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

In defence, UEFA selected Juventus star Weston McKennie, Bayer Leverkusen strongman Edmond Tapsoba, another Bodo ace Odin Lurås Bjørtuft and Atalanta fullback Davide Zappacosta, while Atlético’s Jan Oblak was chosen in goal.

Galatasaray will now wait for Friday’s draw to discover their Round of 16 opponents. The Turkish champions could face either Liverpool, who suffered a 1-0 loss to them in Istanbul during the group stage, or Tottenham Hotspur.

Osimhen has already admitted he would prefer to avoid Liverpool, as the Premier League side appear to be rediscovering the form that helped them win last season’s English title.