UEFA Champions League – Ademola Lookman out of Atalanta squad, Osimhen set to miss Galatasaray opener

• The UEFA Champions League is back, with several Nigerian stars in the spotlight as Europe’s biggest club competition kicks off.
• For some, it’s a moment of opportunity. For others, uncertainty continues to cloud their future.

Lookman left out of Atalanta squad

Reigning African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman remains in limbo at Atalanta after a turbulent summer in which he failed to secure a move away from Bergamo. The forward was left out of the matchday squad that crushed Lecce 5-1 at the weekend, and his situation has not improved.

Lookman has now been excluded from Atalanta’s travelling party to France for their Group Stage opener against Paris Saint-Germain. Reports in Italy suggest club owner Stephen Pagliuca has held direct talks with the Nigerian regarding his future, though it remains unclear whether he will be reintegrated into Ivan Jurić’s plans.

Jurić was blunt when asked about the situation:

 “I have a very good relationship with Lookman. But I shouldn’t have to beg him to play. We are Atalanta and he represents the city. We need what Atalanta represents: hard work, humility, strong values. I shouldn’t have to plead with anyone.”

Osimhen ruled out due to injury

Victor Osimhen looked set to make his long-awaited Galatasaray Champions League debut, but he will now have to wait a bit longer. The Nigerian striker is yet to resume team training after recovering from ankle ligament sprain sustained on international duty, and is expected to miss Thursday’s clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Sources earlier confirmed that the decision to play would largely depend on Osimhen, as his injury has not healed "fully", with his condition still to be monitored for the next few days, but reports from Turkey now reveal that the Nigerian striker was unable to take part in the team's final training session ahead of their 2025/26 Champions League opener.

This now means that Victor will not be with the Galatasaray squad to Germany, ahead of tomorrow's clash.

The fixture offers a familiar challenge for Osimhen, who has already scored three goals in three previous outings against Frankfurt, losing only once. His absence would pose a major problem for Okan Buruk's side who would be looking to start their Champions League campaign on a high.