Preview: Club Brugge vs Monaco

Club Brugge go begin their Champions League campaign on Thursday when dem host Monaco for Jan Breydel Stadium, their first European meeting since 2018.

Brugge qualify after dem thrash Rangers 9-1 on aggregate, while Monaco enter as Ligue 1 third-place finishers from last season.

Match Preview

Brugge show solid consistency for home turf — just two losses in their last 17 European games for West Flanders.

Last season, two of their three League Phase wins happen for this stadium, and na that home form dey push dem reach knockout stage two out of the last three editions.

But for domestic league, Nicky Hayen’s men don drop points for their last two games and dey currently sit fifth after six matchdays. Still, only one defeat dey inside their last 14 competitive home games, and dem win the last four with a combined scoreline of 13-3.

Monaco meanwhile dey chase back-to-back knockout qualifications for the first time since early 2000s. But away form na wahala — just one win for their last 12 away Champions League games, that 1-0 over Bologna last season.

Historically, dem don only win once in Belgium, against Lierse in 1997, and for all-time meetings with Brugge, dem get just one victory (6-1 in 1988 at Stade Louis II).

Adi Hutter’s men never concede first-half goal this Ligue 1 season, but their away attacking record for Europe still dey shaky. Still, with players like Balogun, Minamino and Akliouche, Monaco fit still trouble Brugge defence.

Team News

• Club Brugge: Hugo Vetlesen, Ludovit Reis and Joaquin Seys bin miss their last Pro League match, while Romeo Vermant dey sidelined with muscle injury. Christos Tzolis, Aleksandar Stankovic, Hans Vanaken and Nicolo Tresoldi all score against Rangers. Seys also bag brace in that game.
• Monaco: First-choice keeper Lukas Hradecky sidelined with knee injury. Stanis Idumbo (hip), Aleksandr Golovin (muscle) still doubtful. Ansu Fati dey close to debut after loan move from Barca. Paul Pogba likely no go feature till after international break in October.

Possible Lineups

Club Brugge XI: Mignolet; Sabbe, Spileers, Mechele, Meijer; Onyedika, Stankovic; Forbs, Vanaken, Tzolis; Tresoldi

Monaco XI: Kohn; Teze, Dier, Salisu, Ouattara; Zakaria, Camara; Akliouche, Biereth, Minamino; Balogun

Prediction

TPB Verdict: Both teams get attacking spark, but Monaco away record for Europe dey shaky. Brugge dey strong for home, but Les Monegasques depth fit still drag result. We dey call am 1-1 draw.