Dinamo Zagreb's Atiemwen rated and slated after 'Choupo-Moting role' in loss to Villarreal

Published: April 09, 2021

Dinamo Zagreb were defeated 1-0 by Villarreal at the Stadion Maksimir in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday.

Former Nigeria U23 international Believe Atiemwen made his first start in European competition this season, coming into the starting lineup in place of Bruno Petkovic, while Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze started for Villarreal.

Dinamo Zagreb thought they had the ball in the net in the 26th minute but it was ruled out for offside.

An interchange between Atiemwen and Oršić ended with the former chipping the ball over the advancing goalkeeper and the latter heading in, but Atiemwen was just offside at the start of the move.

The Yellow Submarine secured a win thanks to their in-form striker Gerard Moreno who scored from the penalty spot in the 44th minute.

In their player ratings, Croatian website germanijak, praised Atiemwen, who made a rare start just as Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting did for Bayern Munich against PSG in the Champions League, for his commitment but criticized him for his performance.

Awarding him a 5.5/10 rating, they wrote on the Nigerian : "Just as Choupo-Moting cannot replace Lewandowski in Bayern, so Atiemwen cannot replace Petković in Dinamo.

"He had an ‘assist’ annulled by VAR, but the Nigerian was tasteless and odorless in the Torres and Albiola sandwich.

"No one blames him, but we can say that we secretly hoped for some new flash. Half the grade more just because of the effort and commitment, not the performance."

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : instagram.com/atiemwen1

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com