UYL Wrap: Akinlabi Debuts For Real Madrid; Man City's Nmecha Scores

Published: September 19, 2018

Round up of the performances of Nigerian players in the UEFA Youth League in the opening round of matches on Wednesday, September 19.

At the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano (Madrid), attacking midfielder Marvin Akinlabi Park made his debut for Real Madrid in the Youth League when he came off the bench in the 79th minute.

Pedro Ruiz, Rodrigo Rodrigues and Fran Garcia scored to give Real Madrid a three-goal lead before Cangiano reduced the deficit on 71 minutes.

Last season's semifinalists, Manchester City got off to a disappointing start with a 4-1 home defeat to their French opponents Olympique Lyonnais at the Academy Stadium.

The Citizens coach, Paul Harsley, could call upon the services of four Nigerian starlets, Nathanael Ogbeta, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Tom Dele-Bashiru and Felix Nmecha and all the players, with the exception of Tom, featured.

Midfielder Fisayo and defender Ogbeta played the full game and Nmecha came off the bench at half-time, before scoring what proved to be a consolation goal eleven minutes into the second half.

Devarrewaere, Pintor, Cherki and Augarreau registered their names on the score-sheet for the visitors.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : realmadrid.com