Borussia Dortmund head coach, Nuri Sahin revealed that his side specifically designed their tactics to neutralize Raphael Onyedika in their 3-0 Champions League win over Club Brugge on Wednesday.
Sahin stated that Onyedika, was a key figure in Brugge’s game plan, and posed a significant threat.
(L-R) coach Nuri Sahin of Borussia Dortmund, and Marcel Sabitzer during the UEFA Champions League match against Club Brugge. (Photo by Geert van Erven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
He praised his team’s ability to adapt and successfully minimize the Nigerian midfielder’s influence.
“Onyedika is central to Brugge’s play, and we knew we had to neutralize him,” Sahin stated after the match.
“I’m pleased with how we managed to shut him down.”
Emre Can, on the bottom, Raphael Onyedika during the UEFA Champions League League Phase MD1 match between Club Brugge KV and Borussia Dortmund at Jan Breydelstadion. (Photo by Ralf Ibing – firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
Onyedika struggled against Dortmund’s midfield trio and failed to impose himself in the match.
He managed only a single successful tackle as Dortmund took control late in the game, scoring three goals in the final 14 minutes to secure the victory.
