Not many strikers can lay claim to finding the back of the net against the two European giants in the same season, but Club Brugge forward Emmanuel Dennis, this term, elevated himself into that elite class
Two-cap Super Eagles striker Dennis has revealed that for several weeks he couldn’t get over the excitement of scoring against Manchester United and Real Madrid, two of the biggest clubs in the world.
However, he was disappointed his side did not pick up the maximum points against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Club Brugge clashed against the Red Devils over two legs in the first knockout stage of the UEFA Europa League with the 20-time English champions progressing 6-1 on aggregate.
Dennis netted a fine 15th-minute opener in the first leg to help Brugge secure a respectable 1-1 draw.
Earlier in the UEFA Champions League group stage, the 22-year-old grabbed a fantastic brace at the Santiago Bernabeu as Brugge battled Real Madrid to a thrilling 2-2 stalemate.
Dennis smashed in five more goals in the Jupiler League to help Brugge become champions of Belgium, but the Nigerian youngster is more pleased with his strikes in Europe.
“Against Manchester United was a highlight. Madrid is a big team, the best in the world, but I was disappointed because I wanted us to win and we drew. I wanted that three points,” Dennis told Sky Sports.
“I was happy because I was speaking with friends and they said ‘imagine you play against Real Madrid’. I said I’m going to score, and I’m going to do the Ronaldo celebration, and they were like ‘what, are you sure?’ and I said ‘yeah’, so we bet.
“I was excited to score and do the celebration; I was very happy that day. But I was happier after a few weeks, I was on my phone, and I saw the picture of my celebration, and I thought ‘you scored in Madrid’, the excitement came after a few weeks. It was crazy.”
