Borussia Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin has admitted the brilliance of Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika in the UEFA Champions League clash against Club Brugge on Wednesday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Onyedika returned to Champions League action with Club Brugge when they welcomed former German champions Borussia Dortmund to the Jan Breydel Stadium.
The first half was quite balanced, with both clubs creating opportunities from the blast of the whistle. However, it ended goalless. The second half was also balanced until the 76th minute when Jamie Gittens scored the opener for Borussia Dortmund.
Then, ten minutes later, Gittens doubled Borussia Dortmund’s lead with a precise strike from inside the penalty area. Serhou Guirassy wrapped up the scoring from the spot in the fifth minute of stoppage time. That ensured that it ended 3-0 after 90 minutes in Borussia Dortmund’s favour.
Despite Club Brugge’s loss, Nigerian midfielder Onyedika had a great game, registering 67 touches, two interceptions, and four tackles. The 23-year-old Super Eagles midfielder had the second highest number of touches in the game for Club Brugge.
Following the defeat, Borussia Dortmund boss Sahin seemed quite impressed with the Nigeria internet. And he admitted that their original game plan was to play Onyedika out of the game, but it did not work out.
“We knew that the club’s (Club Brugge) game was going through Raphael Onyedika, but we were unable to neutralize him,” Sahin said, per Ma Pro League.
Onyedika has been a consistent performer for Club Brugge since he joined two seasons ago. If he continues with his impressive performances, he could move to a bigger club soon.