Inter Milan under pressure, but Leko remains cautious ahead of RAAL

Before facing Inter Milan in the Champions League next week, Club Brugge must first assert themselves away against RAAL La Louvière this Saturday evening. The Croatian coach Ivan Leko, present at the press conference, expressed his caution regarding the match.

League position and recent form

Club Brugge start the eighth round of the league in third place on the table, with eighteen points collected out of a possible twenty‑one. They have won six of their first seven matches and have suffered only one defeat. This momentum places the Bruges side among the title contenders.

Last season, Brugge lost both league encounters against RAAL La Louvière. In the home match, the Bruges side were leading 2‑0 before a red card turned the game around. “That dramatic final half‑hour… I still remember perfectly what I felt at that moment,” recalled Ivan Leko.

Preparations and Leko's caution

Ivan Leko emphasized, during the press conference, that his players' fitness remains relative. “On Friday we carried out our first collective training with the whole squad. We need to analyse each situation individually,” he said.

Here's how to watch Inter vs Club Brugge live in the Champions League

All the club’s internationals are back in Brugge, but Leko notes that this does not guarantee their availability on Saturday. Some of them have played four international matches in ten days, making recovery uncertain.

After the trip to La Louvière, the Bruges side will line up on Tuesday for a Champions League clash against Inter Milan in Italy. The coach is already considering a possible rotation of the eleven for the journey, without underestimating this weekend’s match.

He added: “Honestly, I haven’t thought a single second about that Champions League match yet. We all know how tricky the first game after an international break can be.”

During the break, Leko followed the performances of the Red Devils and appreciated their new style of play. “I also like the Red Devils’ new style of play. It was really pleasant to watch,” he concluded.