Club Brugge are aiming to repeat their earlier victory over Aston Villa as the two sides meet in the Champions League last 16, with the Belgian champions brimming with confidence after eliminating Atalanta in the playoffs.
A remarkable 5-2 aggregate win against last season’s Europa League winners marked the first time Club Brugge had won a knockout tie in the modern Champions League era.
The Belgian side’s controversial 2-1 first-leg victory at home was sealed by a stoppage-time penalty from Swedish forward Gustaf Nilsson.
However, their dominant counter-attacking display in Italy proved decisive, with teenager Chemsdine Talbi scoring twice and Ferran Jutgla adding another in a 3-1 triumph.
Tuesday’s first leg against Unai Emery’s Villa presents another challenge, but Brugge will take confidence from their 1-0 victory over the English side in the league phase back in November. That win was secured by a Hans Vanaken penalty, awarded after a bizarre handball by Tyrone Mings.
Despite Villa’s squad improvements with the additions of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio, Club Brugge coach Nicky Hayen remains unfazed.
“We don’t have a specific way to stop them,” Hayen said.
“They have more than just Rashford and Asensio. They were strong before, and now they have more quality, which makes them even stronger.”
Club Brugge narrowly progressed from the expanded 36-team league phase, clinching the final qualifying spot in 24th place.
Their European campaign has been impressive, featuring wins over Austrian champions Sturm Graz, Portuguese champions Sporting, and a draw with Juventus.
The Belgian giants have shown steady improvement in Europe, reaching the Champions League last 16 in 2023 and the Conference League semi-finals last season.
Historically, they reached the UEFA Cup final in 1976 and the European Cup final in 1978, losing both to Liverpool.
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