Club Brugge manager Ivan Leko has voiced significant concern following a disciplinary blow to his midfield, as Raphael Onyedika will miss the decisive second leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff against Atlético Madrid. The Nigerian standout, who proved instrumental in Wednesday’s chaotic 3-3 draw at the Jan Breydelstadion, received a yellow card from referee Glenn Nyberg in the 76th minute. This accumulation of bookings triggers an automatic suspension, leaving a massive void in the Belgian side’s tactical setup just as they prepare for a high-stakes trip to the Spanish capital.
Onyedika’s absence comes after a “Player of the Match” performance where the 24-year-old effectively dictated the tempo against Diego Simeone’s men. After the visitors stormed to a 2-0 lead, Onyedika sparked the comeback by slotting home a close-range finish in the 51st minute. His influence continued until the final moments of regulation time, where he delivered a precise pass to set up Christos Tzolis for a dramatic 89th-minute equalizer. This contribution ensured both sides head into the reverse fixture on level terms, though the loss of the defensive anchor threatens to tilt the momentum back toward the La Liga giants.
“We don’t have another Rapha, so we’ll have to find another solution,” Leko was quoted by the club’s official website.
The Croatian manager faces a daunting task in replacing Onyedika’s unique profile, which combines physical dominance with creative distribution. The suspension is particularly frustrating for the Brugge coaching staff, given that Onyedika was also involved in several critical defensive interventions that kept the scoreline manageable during Atlético’s first-half dominance. Leko must now decide between shifting his formation or introducing a more conservative midfield option to protect a backline that struggled to contain Julián Álvarez and fellow Nigerian international Ademola Lookman.
As the series shifts to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano next Tuesday, February 24, Club Brugge must secure a victory or navigate a penalty shootout to advance to the Round of 16. The Belgian Pro League champions have historically struggled on Spanish soil, and competing without their primary midfield engine makes the objective considerably harder. Supporters remain hopeful that the attacking trio of Tzolis, Skov Olsen, and Hans Vanaken can compensate for the defensive instability caused by this forced exclusion.
