Club Brugge look weaker than before as Champions League looms

At the Giuseppe Meazza stadium, Club Brugge will face Inter Milan after a bruising defeat to Aston Villa, prompting questions about the Belgian side’s ability to compete in this season’s Champions League.

Squad thinning raises doubts

The Blauw & Zwart appear less equipped than in previous campaigns, a view echoed by former player Gert Verheyen and consultant Thomas Chatelle. Both note that departures of Stankovic, Onyedika and Tzolis have stripped away a large part of the team that reached the Champions League last year.

Chatelle added that injuries to Ordoñez and the uncertain status of Carlos Forbs mean roughly half of the previous season’s squad is unavailable. "If your most important signing, Yann Sommer, lets the team down in his first Champions League match, that hurts badly," he warned.

Youthful replacements struggle for experience

Club Brugge have turned to younger players to fill the gaps: Jan Virgili (20), Freddie Potts (22), Andrej Vasovic (18), Cheveyo Tsawa (19) and Wisdom Mike (17) are among the names thrust into the spotlight. The only seasoned figure is veteran goalkeeper Yann Sommer, whose performances have not always reassured supporters.

Club Brugge must pick up points after defeat, Carlos Forbs fit

Having already been beaten by Aston Villa, the Bruges side now face a daunting task against Inter Milan, a club that will test their reduced lineup in the second leg of the tie.

The Jupiler Pro League campaign continues, but the focus has shifted to the Ligue des Champions, where the club’s diminished depth could prove costly. Observers stress that the lack of experienced midfielders and defenders may limit Brugge’s chances of progressing beyond the group stage.

Bruges overturns Inter Milan with a legendary performance

Club Brugge’s recent strategy of prioritising youth over established stars reflects a broader shift in Belgian football, yet the immediate challenge remains: can the young squad deliver against Europe’s elite?