Club Brugge’s Magnificent Seven ahead of Paradise trip

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·25 November 2024

Club Brugge’s Magnificent Seven ahead of Paradise trip

Club Brugge prepared for their clash with Celtic on Wednesday evening with a thumping 7-0 victory over St.Truiden in the Belgian Pro League…

Tzolis Christos forward of Club Brugge celebrates after scoring a second goal during the Jupiler Pro League match between Club Brugge and Sint-Truidense VV on November 23, 2024 in Brugge, Belgium, 23/11/2024. Photo Jan De Meuleneir

Greek winger Christos Tzolis a read danger

Greek winger Christos Tzolis remarkably struck four times at the Jan Breydal Arena on Saturday afternoon along with strikes via Raphael Onyedika, Ardon Jashari and Hans Vanaken which led Club Brugge to their biggest rout of the season ahead of Wednesday’s mammoth Champions League encounter in Glasgow.

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Celtic’s Champions League opponents currently sit 2nd place in their domestic league where they have won eight of their opening 15 matches. The reigning Belgian title-holders are currently six points off leaders Genk who are in top spot.

Vanaken Hans midfielder of Club Brugge celebrates after scoring during the Jupiler Pro League match between Club Brugge and Sint-Truidense VV on November 23, 2024 in Brugge, Belgium, Photo Jan De Meuleneir

Nicky Hayen’s side are six matches unbeaten in all competitions since their 3-1 defeat to Serie A underperformers AC Milan in Europe’s elite club competition last month.

Brugge doing well in Champions League

The ‘Blauw-Zwart,’ are in a respectable position in the newly branded Champions League format. Following four rounds of challenging games, Club Brugge sit in 22nd position on six points within the 36-team polluted table.

Analysing Brugge’s Champions League campaign so far, they have performed well. Succumbing to a 3-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in Belgium’s capital on matchday one, Hayen’s men responded well with a crucial 1-0 away victory versus Sturm Graz in Austria.

Hayen Nicky head coach of Club Brugge during the Jupiler Pro League match between Club Brugge and Sint-Truidense VV on November 23, 2024 in Brugge, Belgium, Photo Jan De Meuleneir

Despite losing 3-1 at the San Siro to AC Milan, Brugge caused La Rosseneri problems albeit playing 55 minutes of the game with 10 men. Celtic’s opponents eye-catching display and stunning 1-0 win against English Premier League opposition Aston Villa earlier this month as a result of Club Brugge icon Hans Vanaken’s controversial penalty demonstrates the threat the Belgian champions can pose to Brendan Rodgers’ men in two days time.

Ronny Deila was Brugge boss

Notably, the Belgians who were managed until March of this year by former Celtic manager Ronny Deila, reached the Europa Conference League semi-finals last season. Losing to the eventual runners up Fiorentina over two legs, Club Brugge were an inch away from progressing to a European final.

Celtic tantalisingly close

Meanwhile, Celtic are virtually three points away from qualifying for the knockout-playoffs. Research completed by Opta at the start of the season found that 10 points would be enough for a top 24 spot. The Hoops are unbeaten in their last three Champions League home matches and will be aiming to replicate a similar performance to the one they showed against Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig three weeks ago.

Nicolas Kuhn celebrates. Hearts v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Tynecastle. 23 November 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Stakes could not be higher

The stakes at Celtic Park could not be any higher, and with a ruckus atmosphere awaiting, it may well be another memorable European night at Paradise. However, Club Brugge have exemplified that they should not be underestimated.

Conor Spence