Club Brugge coach Ivan Leko and club legend Marc Degryse express concern over the Nigerian midfielder’s suspension for the decisive Champions League playoff second leg against Atletico Madrid.

Club Brugge head coach Ivan Leko and former striker Marc Degryse have expressed disappointment over the suspension of Nigerian midfielder Raphael Onyedika for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout playoff against Atletico Madrid.

Speaking ahead of the return fixture at the Estadio Metropolitano, Leko admitted that Onyedika’s absence would force the Belgian champions to rethink their tactical approach.

Onyedika picked up a yellow card in the 76th minute of the 3–3 first-leg draw at the Jan Breydel Stadium after a foul on Marcos Llorente. The booking triggered an automatic one-match suspension under UEFA regulations, ruling him out of the decisive second leg in Madrid next week.

The 24-year-old midfielder was one of Brugge’s standout performers in the first leg. He scored in the 51st minute to ignite a comeback from two goals down and later provided the assist for Christos Tzolis’ dramatic 89th-minute equaliser.

His contributions proved crucial as Brugge battled back against Atletico, cancelling out earlier goals and an own goal by defender Joel Ordóñez.

“We do not have another Rapha, so we will have to find a different solution,” Leko said. “Losing Onyedika for the second leg is a significant blow for Club Brugge.”

Marc Degryse echoed those concerns, warning that Brugge could struggle to match the same intensity, balance and defensive stability without the Super Eagles midfielder anchoring the midfield.