Thomas Partey will be in action for Atletico Madrid
Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey’s heroics have helped Diego Simeone’s side get through a tricky spell in recent weeks—or at least—help ensure that things weren’t as bad as they might have been for the Rojiblancos.
As well as his superb performance for Ghana against Congo-Brazzaville, the powerhouse netted an equaliser against Qarabag in the UCL and the winner against Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga action.
Atleti needs a home win against AS Roma to remain in the hunt for a knockout spot, and Simeone will surely be hoping that Partey can muster some more magic.
Aubameyang
Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang: Borussia Dortmund’s prospects of reaching the knockouts are miniscule, as they need to win both of their games and hope that Real Madrid don’t beat APOEL Nicosia. Third in Group H and a Europa League spot is more realistic, but even that is not a given.
Either way, having won just one of their last eight, they’ll be desperate for a morale-boosting performance at home against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday. Aubameyang, with 10 goals in 11 this term, has been a rare ray of light in their campaign; can prompt an improvement in fortunes this week?
Dino Ndlovu
Dino Ndlovu missed the last matchday after being sent off in Qarabag’s 0-0 draw at home against Atletico Madrid—arguably the finest-ever result for the Azerbaijani heavyweights. He’s already begun to demonstrate what he’s capable of this term with a fine showing—and an assist—in the 2-1 home defeat by Chelsea, and may well usurp Ramil Seydaev and retake his starting spot in the return match against the Blues on Wednesday. Qarabag sit bottom of Group C on two points, but Atletico—in third on three points—are firmly within their reach.
Henry Onyekuru
Henry Onyekuru demonstrated a few new strings to his bow after being asked to operate in a left wing-back role by Hein Vanhaezebrouck in recent weeks, but excelled at the weekend after returning to a more advanced position. The Nigeria international scored Anderlecht’s winner—in the 80th minute—as they won away at Royal Mouscron at the weekend, and will be turned to for another big contribution in midweek. The Belgian giants, who host Bayern Munich, need a win to avoid elimination from Europe altogether, and they’re desperately in need of a hero!
Dimitri Oberlin
Dimitri Oberlin has been one of the breakout stars of the Champions League group stage so far. The 20-year-old Swiss-Cameroonian has scored three in four so far, notably netting twice in Basel’s 5-0 rout of Benfica at the start of the campaign. This week, he’s set to start in arguably the biggest game of his career, as Basel host Manchester United. Likely up against an out-of-sorts Matteo Darmian—with Antonio Valencia often rested in midweek—Oberlin could again demonstrate why he’s one of Africa’s emerging stars.
