UCL playoff draw: Lookman and Onyedika face off; Chukwueze, Ilenikhena discover opponents

The UEFA Champions League playoff draw took place on Friday afternoon in Nyon, Switzerland, with 16 teams discovering their opponents in the knockout round.

Four Nigerian-eligible players also learned their fate as they prepare for crucial clashes in their bid to reach the Round of 16.  

In one of the fixtures, Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta will face Raphael Onyedika’s Club Brugge in a Super Eagles showdown.

Lookman, who has been in fine form this season, is racing against the clock to be fully fit when Atalanta travel to Jan Breydel Stadium for the first leg on February 11 or 12.  

The return leg will take place at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo on February 18 or 19.

Lookman, who has scored four goals and provided one assist in six UEFA Champions League appearances, will be crucial to Atalanta’s chances of advancing to the Round of 16.

Meanwhile, Samuel Chukwueze’s AC Milan have been paired against Dutch side Feyenoord.

Milan will play the first leg at Stadion Feijenoord before hosting the return fixture at the iconic San Siro.

The Italian giants are considered favorites to progress against their Eredivisie opponents.

Despite his struggle this season, Chukwueze will play a vital role to ensure the Italian club qualify to the round of 16.

George Ilenikhena's AS Monaco will also face a tough test against Portuguese powerhouse Benfica.

Monaco will host the first leg at Stade Louis II before traveling to Lisbon for the return match at the Estádio da Luz.

The winger, who has been crucial for the Ligue 1 club, notably scored the winner against Barcelona in the group stage opener.  

UCL fixtures

Brest v Paris St-Germain
Club Brugge v Atalanta
Manchester City v Real Madrid
Juventus v PSV
AS Monaco v Benfica
Sporting v Borussia Dortmund
Celtic v Bayern Munich
Feyenoord v AC Milan

Adeyemi Adewale

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