Club Brugge midfielder reveals why Onyedika thrived against Atletico Madrid

Belgium and Club Brugge midfielder, Hans Vanaken, has revealed the secret to Raphael Onyedika’s performance against Atletico Madrid last night, Afrik Foot reports.

Ivan Leko’s Brugge played the first leg of their play-offs in front of their home crowd at the Jan Breydelstadion, but didn’t have a great first half.

Goals from Julian Alvarez and Ademola Lookman put Diego Simeone’s men two up at half-time, but a spirited performance from Blauw-Zwart as they overturned the deficit to pull level when the final whistle was blown.

Onyedika was involved in all three goals for Club Brugge, scoring one and assisting another.

Why Onyedika thrived against Atletico Madrid

Vanaken, Club Brugge’s captain, admitted his side didn’t have the best first half.

“It was an intense start and a nasty start. We unfortunately went behind because of that penalty, and had the misfortune of not getting one,” the 33-year-old said in quotes revealed by Club Brugge’s official website.

“Getting a two-goal deficit, just before halftime, then you know that it can be a very difficult match.

Vanaken continued by saying that the midfield chose to be more fluid in the second half, and as such, Onyedika had more space to open Atletico up.

“We were going to rotate more and move in midfield. That way, there was more space, and we went to play better football. I also went to look for the ball more, which gave Onyedika more space to attack.

“If we can hold this feeling, we have nothing to lose. First, there will be OH Leuven on Saturday. If we bring the same attitude to the day, everything can be done,” the Club Brugge captain concluded.

The second leg between the two sides will be played at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano next Tuesday.