Raphael Onyedika endured a nightmarish outing in the first leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final after being sent off against Fiorentina. The Nigeria international received his marching orders right after the 60th minute, forcing Club Brugge to play the final half-hour with 10 men.
The Belgian club ultimately paid the price for their numerical disadvantage as a late goal from M’bala Nzola saw Fiorentina secure a 3-2 win ahead of the second leg next week.
Fresh from being adjudged Club Brugge’s player of the month, Onyedika was named in the starting line-up for Thursday’s crucial Europa Conference League game against Fiorentina. The 23-year-old started in a double pivot alongside Denis Odoi in the middle of the park.
Fiorentina, however, had a dream start to the game when they opened the scoring in the fifth minute following Riccardo Sottil’s brilliant finish. The Serie A side couldn’t hold on to their lead for too long, though, and conceded the equaliser in the 17th minute when Hans Vanaken successfully converted from the spot after Clugge Brugge had been awarded a penalty.
The hosts would go on to take the lead again with eight minutes left to the end of the match. This time, Andrea Belotti struck from inside the box.
Onyedika sent off against Fiorentina
With Club Brugge throwing everything at the hosts in search of the equaliser, their task would be made harder after Onyedika was sent off just 16 minutes after the restart. The midfielder received two yellow cards in the space of four minutes, leaving his teammates to play the final 30 minutes with just 10 men.
The Nigerian had endured a difficult evening against the Viola, having failed to track his markers a couple of times while also being culpable for some wayward passes. Onyedika’s first yellow came in the 58th minute with the second following in the 61st minute as he took an early shower.
Despite the midfielder’s red card, Club Brugge restored parity just two minutes later, after Igor Thiago found the back of the net to make it 2-2. The Belgian side seemed to have done just about enough to take a draw into the second leg but were stunned in added time when M’Bala popped up with the winner.
The result gives Fiorentina a slim advantage to take into the reverse fixture in Belgium next week, with the tie still far from over for both teams.
Onyedika to miss Conference League semi-final second leg against Fiorentina
Meanwhile, Onyedika’s sending-off means he will not be available for Club Brugge’s Conference League semi-final second leg against Fiorentina next week. The former Midtjylland enforcer has been a key player for the club this season and remains their most reliable midfielder.
His absence in the second leg leaves a big void to be filled, with manager Nicky Hayen currently having very few reliable options to choose from in the middle of the park. Hayden played Denis Odoi, who’s predominantly a full-back/wing-back, as a make-shift midfielder against Fiorentina on Thursday.
But while Onyedika’s absence will be a huge blow to the club, the silver lining is that the midfielder could also have the needed rest ahead of a testing fixture pile that could decide who is crowned champion in the Belgian top-flight.
Onyedika’s unavailability against Fiorentina in the second leg means he will have a full week’s rest ahead of Club Brugge’s crucial Championship Round fixture against Union Saint-Gilloise on May 13, and another full week’s rest before the club faces archrivals Anderlecht on May 19.
The Nigeria international has played 44 matches in all competitions this season, contributing four goals and two assists.
