Barcelona began their Champions League campaign on a losing note after Monaco stunned the Spanish giant 2-1 on Thursday.
Garcia was shown a straight red card 11 minutes in for a foul on Monaco’s Takumi Minamino, who was clear in front of goal after a misplaced pass from goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
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The hosts grabbed the lead five minutes later when Maghnes Akliouche struck a low shot into the net, before Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal equalised in the 28th minute by finishing from the edge of the penalty area.
Monaco kept pushing and got their reward in the 71st minute when substitute George Ilenikhena fired past Ter Stegen to secure victory in their first main stage appearance in five years in Europe’s elite club competition.
5 Comments
This kid George Ilenikhena looks like the real deal.
He seems to adapt quickly to whatever club he goes to.
You could tell, he is a natural goal-scorer. This kid was born in Nigeria, so you would think he is surely going to play for us. But the crass incompetence of our NFF means that we are very likely to lose this boy with a big future to France.
It would be a crying shame if that happens.
Bro, this is one of the reasons I prefer foreign coaches to the local ones. The problem with some of the isn’t isn’t just tactics; it’s laziness and lack of initiative. They’re not scouting properly, relying on familiar NPFL players like Ndah Olisa or Tanimu. Half the time, it’s about agents trying to push players for transfers rather than building a solid team.
Look at Gernot Rohr—he was proactive, scouting players early in Belgium and France, which is why we have talents like Lookman, Aina, and Okoye. He didn’t wait until they were stars. Peseiro did the same with Osayi-Samuel and even went to South Africa to scout. That’s the kind of effort we need.
But now, players like George Ilenikhena won’t get noticed until they’re big names or on France’s radar. Just like when Siasia fumbled the chance with Nedum Onuoha. Kudos to Keshi for bringing in Balogun, but we need more coaches willing to do the hard work or we’ll keep losing out.
Dont be shocked when Eguavoen will tell y’all he’s never heard of this boy b4…..that he needs to go to France to watch him play first.
Or was that not how Kelechi Nwakali made of 2021 AFCON squad ahead of Cyriel Dessers, the then highest scoring per minute played player of Nigerian descent in the whole of Europe at the time…?
Ademola’s switch was ratified b4 2021 AFCON, but the man dropped him to accomodate Olisah Ndah.
Come WCQ against Ghana 2 months later he wasnt brave enough to invite his 2 sons again.
These current crop of local coaches will be the end of the SE.
I really hope we get this boy. He looks like a generational talent. I’ve been watching him since last season when he was in Belgium. Good that he was born in Nigeria and he seems to be keen about playing for the SuperEagles.
A top top talent to behold. I hope he continues to progress at Monaco and become the player he wants to be. George Ilenikhena Nigeria can’t wait for you to explode. I just hope we don’t lose him to France like Olise.
I really hope we get this boy. He looks like a generational talent. I’ve been watching him since last season when he was in Belgium. Good that he was born in Nigeria and he seems to be keen about playing for the SuperEagles. A top top talent to behold. I hope he continues to progress at Monaco and become the player he wants to be. George Ilenikhena Nigeria can’t wait for you to explode. I just hope we don’t lose him to France like Olise.