Exclusive: Man City Showdown Fuels Raphael Onyedika’s Belief in Club Brugge’s Knockout Push

Club Brugge and Rapheal Onyedika continue to chase one, precise objective in Europe this season, and that is progression to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

That surely will come under stern scrutiny when they face Manchester City at the Etihad on Wednesday, in what is a make-or-break affair for their English rivals. 

While the Bruges held tight to a play-off spot with a draw versus Juventus in the penultimate round of the tournament's group stage games last week, City on their part were battered 4-2 in Paris leaving them with all to play for when they face their Belgian opposition next time out. 

Speaking exclusively to Sportsboom.com about how they look forward to the important game, Onyedika has called for belief, stressing the lessons they've learnt in the course of their European campaign, and the victories, as well as what it feels like facing the European elites. 

GETTING INTO THE KNOCKOUTS IS THE TARGET 

For the second time since the 2022/23 season, Club Brugge are gunning for a place in the Champions League knockouts yet again, though they are most likely to do it via the playoffs in the rescheduled edition of the competition. 

For Onyedika, the midfielder believes facing off against 2023 champions City in the last group match will serve as an extra 'fuel' for them to go on and do it. 

"We know how tough it is already, but we want to give ourselves the best chance and stay in it for as long as we can," the Nigerian midfielder told Sportsboom.com.

"Yes, Manchester City are a good side, a former champion, a top club that want to play football. But we don't want to think about names, we want to put ourselves in the best frame of mind to do the right thing, and that is getting to the knockouts."

"We want it to serve as a fuel to kick us, that extra motivation which you need when you know the chances are not so much in your favour."

With that in mind, Manchester City will fail to make it past the group stages of the Champions League for the first time since the 2012/13 season should they not find a way to get past Club Brugge.

FACING THE BIG SIDES IN EUROPE

Club Brugge's Champions League season had not started on the best note after losing to two of the tournaments past winners, 1996/97 champions Dortmund and seven-time holders Milan. 

But an unbeaten run of games has brought the positives and swung the chances back in their favour. 

Wins against Aston Villa and Sporting Lisbon looked to had done the trick, while he and his mates will look back at the hard-earned points against the likes of Celtic and lately Juve as one of the most disciplined performances they've done. 

That said, the 23-year-old who set up Christos Tzolis for the solitary goal in the 1-0 over Sturm Graz, their first win of the campaign has been one of star performers for Nicky Hayen's side. 

"We've worked really hard to get where we are now, so there's no looking back, doesn't matter the opposition," he enthused. 

"Sometimes, you need to sit back and observe some of the things you've done, look at the victories, the battles, the loses and you will take some lessons from each of them."

"The Champions League is what it is. This competition, you want to face the best sides and it gives you that faith that you're good enough. The more you progress in the competition, it's gets tougher because you have to play an even better team."

"We don't want to stop now."

A CALL FOR BELIEF

Club Brugge continue to push for a domestic double this season, sitting second on the Jupiler Pro League as a well as a Cup final tie with Genk to look forward to. 

In all this, the Super Eagle wants the fans to believe they can go all the way to achieving their ambitions this term, and bring titles to the Jan Breydel. 

"We want to do it. What we just need is that belief and support from everyone who loves Brugge."

"There are no easy games, so when we falter, we need that belief in us to make us come back stronger and go for the next one."