CLUB BRUGGE – BAYER LEVERKUSEN | Wednesday 9pm
Both will try to play spoilsport in a group in which the first two places should, in theory, be held by Atletico Madrid and Porto. A group, in any case, that is far from impossible and that could even offer some surprises in the end. Because both Club Brugge and Bayer Leverkusen boast a great deal of experience in European competitions, having participated in them almost every year now, and they seem to have what it takes to challenge Sergio Conceiçao’s Lusitanians for second place.
Carl Hoefkens’ Nerazzurri played their first official game in mid-July and already have seven days of league play behind them. After picking up only four points in the first three rounds, Lang and his teammates have now put the turbo into gear. Four victories in a row, the latest of which came in the city derby against Cercle Brugge, which they overwhelmed with a clear 4-0 victory. For now, the absence of the jewel De Ketelaere, bought from AC Milan in the summer, is not felt. As every year, there is no shortage of interesting players in the squad: in addition to Dutchman Lang – who is also being closely watched by the Rossoneri – Hoefkens can count on former Bologna player Skov Olsen, young Spanish striker Jutglà and Ukrainian Yaremchuk.
A year ago in the group stage Club Brugge created some problems for Psg, keeping their qualification hopes alive until the very end. Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, got off to an inexplicably bad start, winning just one game in their six matches between the German Cup and the Bundesliga. A dramatic moment for Gerardo Seoane’s Aspirins, who also surrendered at home (2-3) to Freiburg last Saturday. For the time being, Bayer are at the bottom of the table with only three points to their name and have to deal with an attack that is lacking in flair and a lack of possession: they have already conceded nine goals.
Gerardo SeoaneGerardo Seoane
The Prediction
Match that could also be affected by absences: Club Brugge will be without Lang, while Wirtz, Adli and Bellarabi will be missing from the other side. In any case, the hosts, although slightly inferior in terms of quality, seem to have more than the Germans at the moment and might be able to avoid defeat. Both will most likely find their way to the goal.
Club Brugge-Bayer Leverkusen matchday squad
- CLUB BRUGGE (3-5-2): Mignolet; Mata, Mechele, Sylla; Olsen, Nielsen, Odoi, Vanaken, Meijer; Jutglà, Sowah.
- BAYER LEVERKUSEN (4-4-2): Hradecky; Tah, Tapsoba, Hincapié, Frimpong; Palacios, Andrich, Demirbay, Bakker; Schick, Diaby.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
