Ivan Leko’s lineup puzzle looms as Club Brugge eye Supercup

Ivan Leko will have to decide how much playing time to give returning internationals as Club Brugge prepares for the Supercup against Union SG this weekend. The coach faces a lineup puzzle with key figures such as Joaquin Seys, Brandon Mechele and Hans Vanaken back at the Westkapelle training centre. NIEUW Ontvang meldingen bij belangrijk nieuws! Schrijf je HIER in!

Club Brugge’s preparation has been uneven, losing three of four friendlies, including a recent defeat to Stade Rennais. Leko has often been without important players because of international duties and injuries, hampering the team’s rhythm.

Not all internationals have returned yet. Joël Ordonez remains on holiday, nursing a foot injury sustained in the Ecuador round of 16 at the World Cup, and will miss the season start.

Leko also must cope without Christos Tzolis, who departed for Arsenal for a record €40 million fee, while five new outfield players and goalkeeper Yann Sommer have joined, adding further change to the squad.

With less than a week of preparation, Club Brugge must act quickly; the Supercup is scheduled for Friday at the Jan Breydelstadion. It remains uncertain how many minutes the freshly returned internationals will receive in the match.

Seys, Mechele and Vanaken are established core values within the Rode Duivels contingent at Club Brugge, yet they must rediscover rhythm and automaticity alongside new teammates. The lack of cohesion so far makes the role distribution against Union SG uncertain.

Club Brugge will announce its final squad soon, and supporters are encouraged to sign up for the Voetbalkrant newsletter as the club seeks to solidify its approach ahead of the Supercup.