Club Brugge Coach Stands by Onyedika Despite Costly Red Card Against AC Milan

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Club Brugge manager, Nicky Hayen has stated that while he doesn’t want midfielder Raphael Onyedika to alter his playing style, a conversation is necessary following the player’s red card during the Champions League match against AC Milan.

Onyedika was sent off in the first half and his team went on to lose 3-1 at San Siro on Tuesday.

The incident occurred in the first half when Onyedika and AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders both challenged for the ball.

It appeared like a collision, with both players requiring treatment on the pitch. However, a subsequent VAR review revealed that Onyedika had accidentally made contact with Reijnders’ ankle, leading to a straight red card for the Club Brugge player.

“We have comforted him now, and tomorrow we will have a calm conversation about it. We are a warm club that doesn’t abandon its players,” the coach said.

Hayen further stated the Nigerian must learn from such mistakes.

“We will work together to find solutions. I don’t want him to change his game, but these kinds of errors need to be avoided. We need to become smarter in these situations, although it’s not always easy to learn,” he concluded.

Onyedika will miss Club Brugge’s next crucial fixture against Aston Villa at the Jan Breydel Stadium, a significant blow for the Belgian side.