UEFA Champions League debuts don’t start off any better than it has been for Raphael Onyedika with Club Brugge, the midfielder and his teammates secured qualification to the second round in fine style.
Club weren’t fancied to be top of group B after four rounds of matches, against a field that has Atletico Madrid and Porto; both have reached at the quarterfinals at least twice in their last five seasons in the competition.
However, Club Brugge have been the surprise package and within the group, 21 year-old Onyedika, who joined from FC Midtjylland in the summer, could just we’ll be the revelation of the tournament.
The Nigerian midfielder was subject of interests from AC Milan, who certainly saw something big in the play, but couldn’t match the selling club’s valuation.
Onyedika seized his opportunity to be Carl Hoefkens’ first choice in the DM/CM role after the unfortunate injury to veteran Angolan star, Clinton Mata.
On Wednesday night at the Bay Arena, both players turned out for FCB, the Nigerian a starter and he featured for the entire duration of the game, while the 29 year-old Angolan got a cameo on his return to competitive action after several weeks out injured.
The Belgians came knowing a single point will seal their progress to the next round, and so for most of the game, Hoefkens’ men sat back.
Onyedika’s stats read 45 touches, 28 completed passes, 7 clearances, 2 blocks, 1 tackle and 1 aerial duel won.
Yet despite finishing the game with 10 men, Club Brugge fought to snatch a point from the Metropolitano Stadium.
