AC MILAN v CLUB BRUGGE: OPPONENT REVIEW

Club Brugge return to the Champions League, bringing back memories of Kaká's brilliance in November 2003. However, it's worth remembering the more recent encounter at San Siro, also in the group stage, when the Belgians triumphed 1-0. On Tuesday 22 October at 18:45 CEST, it will be a crucial match for the Rossoneri, especially after two early defeats, making it imperative for them to respond. The opposition, and the challenge in general, should not be taken lightly, as it poses some threats, and a top performance will be needed to overcome it. Club Brugge are a consistent presence in European competitions, regularly appearing in the Champions League, with only a few exceptions.

One such exception was last season, when they reached the Conference League semi-finals, only to be knocked out by Fiorentina. Their recent European form includes a 1-0 away win over Sturm Graz, courtesy of a brilliant strike from Tzolīs, after a tough 3-0 home loss to Borussia Dortmund, with all three goals coming late in the match. With 3 points on the board, they sit mid-table, currently in a position that would see them qualify for the playoffs. In the Jupiler League, Club Brugge returned to winning ways last weekend with a 2-1 victory away at Westerlo, thanks to goals from Spileers and Vanaken. They now hold a provisional third place, 7 points adrift of league leaders Genk. Earlier this season, as reigning champions, they played in the domestic Super Cup but came up short.

AN OFFENSIVE AND ROBUST TEAM: THE AWAY FACTOR
Let's have a closer look at Nicky Hayen's Club Brugge, where he's been solid on the bench since 2022, focusing on their tactical approach. His team frequently shifts its setup, maintaining a back four in the domestic league, but so far in Europe (2024/25), they've consistently deployed a back five. One of their key focuses is defensive compactness, keeping a tight, aggressive, and well-organized backline. While their defensive stats in Belgium are less convincing, with 13 goals conceded in 11 matches, their away form in the Champions League tells a different story. They've kept six clean sheets in their last ten European fixtures, including four in a row from 2022 to the present (from the 4-0 win against Porto to the 1-0 victory in Graz).

They know how to adapt and adjust based on their opponents and the situation at hand. Domestically, they're trained to maintain possession and press forward, while abroad they might hold onto the ball less, especially when they recognise they're at a technical or experience disadvantage, as is the case here, but they remain proactive and attack-minded. Their play is engaging and dynamic, with quick movements, keeping the ball on the ground and rarely in the air: full of ideas and bravery. A team that runs hard and creates plenty of chances, often managing to shoot after some impressive build-up play. They almost seem to perform better away from Jan Breydel Stadium.

TZOLĪS IN FORM, VANAKEN A RELIABLE FORCE. AND THEN THERE'S SKOV OLSEN...
The summer transfer window didn't drastically change the squad, though they did lose their top scorer, Igor Thiago. Without the Brazilian striker, Club Brugge acted quickly by signing Chrīstos Tzolīs from Fortuna Düsseldorf. The 22-year-old Greek winger has made an immediate impact. His stunning strike was enough to sink Sturm Graz in the previous round. The left side of Hayen's team is one of their key strengths: Tzolīs, yes, but also left-back Maxim De Cuyper, who delivered 24 line-breaking passes in Austria, a record for his position in this season's Champions League.

And let's not forget Hans Vanaken, the captain, advanced midfielder, and team leader: 4 goals and 3 assists so far, following last season's tally of 12 goals and 11 assists. In terms of individual performances, noteworthy mentions go to goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who won the Champions League in 2018/19 with Liverpool, and Andreas Skov Olsen, a young Danish player with a familiar history (formerly of Bologna) who has been a standout performer on the right flank. He has been instrumental in the team's success, contributing an impressive 26 goals and 8 assists in the 2023/24 season alone.

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