Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has said Club Brugge felt the absence of Raphael Onyedika during their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 playoff second leg clash. Atletico secured a 4-1 victory in Spain to seal a 7-4 aggregate win.

Onyedika, who scored in the first leg that ended 3-3, missed the return fixture due to suspension after accumulating yellow cards. Simeone praised the Belgian side but admitted the midfielder’s absence was noticeable.

“I like the team; they are young with very good midfielders. Onyedika was missing,” Simeone said after the match. His comments highlighted the importance of the Nigerian star in Brugge’s setup.

With the defeat, Club Brugge exit the Champions League and will now shift attention to their Belgian Pro League fixture against Charleroi this weekend.