In the context of the Champions League round of 16, AC Milan faced FC Barcelona, with the match being a highly anticipated encounter. Here’s a squad review of the African players involved in the match:
- Lionel Messi (Barcelona): The Argentine prodigy, often considered one of the greatest footballers, played a key role for Barcelona. Known for his exceptional skills, Messi has been a dominant force for the team.
- Alexandre Song (Barcelona): The Cameroonian player, though an understudy at Barcelona, played a crucial role in the team’s defensive strategy. He provided support in central defense or midfield when needed.
- Mario Balotelli (AC Milan): The Italian-Ghanaian striker was not available for the match due to qualification issues for the second phase of the Champions League.
- Stephan El Shaarawy (AC Milan): The young “pharaoh” faced some difficulty with a knee issue but was tasked with animating the offensive sector of AC Milan from the left flank.
- M’Baye Niang (AC Milan): The young Franco-Senegalese striker, often overshadowed by more publicized players, had the opportunity to showcase his skills. Aged 18, Niang earned his starting spot within AC Milan.
- Kevin-Prince Boateng (AC Milan): The Ghanaian midfielder played in a supporting role behind the attackers. While Boateng’s performance varied during the season, he managed to score a notable goal in the group stage.
The match was anticipated as a clash between two football giants, and the presence of these Afro players added an extra layer of excitement to the encounter.
