Champions League: Super Eagles star to miss Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid second leg

Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika is set to miss the second leg of the UEFA Champions League clash between Atletico Madrid and Club Brugge next week, according to Afrik-Foot.

​Onyedika was arguably the best player on the pitch during the first leg at the Jan Breydel Stadium. The Nigerian international recorded a goal and an assist to help Club Brugge secure a hard-fought 3-3 draw, but his impact extended far beyond his direct goal contributions.

Onyedika dominated the midfield, registering two key passes, a 90% pass accuracy, 88 touches, seven ball recoveries, and 33 ball carries. His commanding presence in the middle of the park was vital for the Blauw-Zwart.

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​However, the only blemish on his performance was a yellow card received in the 76th minute following a mistimed challenge on Marcos Llorente.

Unfortunately for the Belgian side, this was Onyedika’s third booking of the campaign.

Under UEFA regulations, this triggers an automatic one-match suspension, meaning he will be unavailable for the return fixture at the Estadio Metropolitano next week.

​Can Club Brugge Survive the Metropolitano Without Their Super Eagles Star?

​Losing Onyedika for the second leg is a significant blow for Club Brugge. Following the match, coach Ivan Leko acknowledged the difficulty of the situation while remains optimistic about finding a tactical alternative.

​”We don’t have another Rapha, so we will have to find a different solution,” Leko noted.

​The Nigerian’s influence in the first leg was undeniable. From dictating the tempo with his distribution to his relentless work rate and clinical final ball, he was the heartbeat of the team.

Club Brugge will undoubtedly need a similar level of performance from his replacement if they hope to survive the atmosphere of the Metropolitano and advance.

​It remains to be seen how Leko will reshuffle his squad to fill the massive void left by his midfield general.