Raphael Onyedika has continued his struggles on Tuesday night as the Super Eagles midfielder received yet another straight red card during Club Brugge’s 3-1 defeat to AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League.
It was the second time this season that the 23-year-old has been sent off, compounding his growing reputation for disciplinary issues, Footballrover reports.
The red card incident occurred in the 40th minute, just six minutes after Christian Pulisic had given Milan the lead with a spectacular goal directly from a corner.
Onyedika’s challenge on Tijjani Reijnders required a VAR review, as it was initially unclear who had committed the foul.
After reviewing the footage, referee Felix Zwayer showed Raphael Onyedika a straight red card, much to the dismay of Club Brugge.
While many may argue it was a harsh decision, slow-motion replays didn’t help Onyedika’s case. Both players were fully committed to the challenge, but Onyedika’s foot landed on top of Reijnders’ ankle.
Although it didn’t appear intentional, the challenge was deemed serious enough for a red card.
Raphael Onyedika second red card in leaves Club Brugge reeling
It’s a frustrating trend for Raphael Onyedika, who was already under pressure after picking up his first red card in Brugge’s 1-1 draw against Charleroi last month.
His second red in such a short span has become an embarrassment for the midfielder, who is considered a key figure in Club Brugge’s midfield.
Before his dismissal, Onyedika had been performing well, registering 18 touches, 14 accurate passes, and creating a goal-scoring opportunity from his central role in Brugge’s 4-1-4-1 formation.
However, his early exit left his team with 10 men, making an already difficult match even harder.
The Nigerian midfielder’s recent struggles follow a scathing criticism from Belgian football legend Marc Degryse, who labeled Onyedika’s recent performances as “nonchalant” following Brugge’s narrow 2-1 victory over KVC Westerlo.
Now, Raphael Onyedika will miss Brugge’s next Champions League fixture against Aston Villa on November 6.
While it was a night to forget for Onyedika, it was a night to remember for his compatriot, Samuel Chukwueze.
Coming off the bench in the 60th minute, Chukwueze wasted no time making an impact.
Just 11 minutes after stepping onto the pitch, he set up Tijjani Reijnders for Milan’s third goal, sealing a 3-1 victory for the Rossoneri.
Three points on the board ❤️🖤#MilanBrugge #UCL #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/qomwng8OJH
— AC Milan (@acmilan) October 22, 2024
Chukwueze’s assist followed his match-winning goal against Udinese in Serie A, making it two straight games with decisive contributions for the Nigerian winger.
While Onyedika’s season is spiraling downward, Chukwueze is on a remarkable upward trajectory, trying to seal his place in Milan’s squad.
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