In their first Champions League meeting since 2018, Club Brugge are set to open their European campaign on Thursday night with a highly anticipated clash against AS Monaco at the Jan Breydel Stadium. The fixture marks a return to continental competition for two clubs with contrasting trajectories in recent seasons—Brugge, a side that has steadily built a reputation as Belgium’s most consistent European performer, and Monaco, a team still seeking to recapture the glory of their early 2000s heyday. The match promises to be a compelling contest between two tactically astute managers, Nicky Hayen and Adi Hütter, and two squads brimming with youthful talent and seasoned campaigners. For Brugge, the encounter is more than just a curtain-raiser; it is a statement opportunity, a chance to assert their home dominance and set the tone for another deep run in Europe’s premier club competition.
Club Brugge’s path to the League Phase has been anything but straightforward. After narrowly surviving a tense playoff tie against RB Leipzig, where defensive resilience and tactical discipline proved decisive, they turned on the style in their subsequent qualifying round against Rangers. The Belgians dismantled the Scottish side with ruthless efficiency, winning by an aggregate score of 9–1 and showcasing the attacking depth that Hayen has cultivated over the past year. That emphatic victory not only secured their place in the League Phase but also reinforced their reputation as a side capable of mixing pragmatism with flair. Brugge’s home form has been central to their European success, with just two defeats in their last 17 continental matches in West Flanders. The Jan Breydel Stadium has become a fortress, a venue where visiting teams often struggle to impose themselves, and where Brugge’s tactical identity—built on compact shape, quick transitions, and set-piece prowess—comes to life.
In two of the last three editions of the Champions League, Brugge have advanced to the round of 16, a feat that underscores their growing stature on the European stage. Their success has been anchored in their ability to perform under pressure at home, with two of their three League Phase victories last season coming at Jan Breydel. The stadium’s intimate atmosphere and passionate fanbase provide a unique edge, and Hayen’s men have learned to harness that energy to their advantage. However, since their demolition of Rangers, Brugge have shown signs of vulnerability, dropping points in their last two domestic fixtures and slipping to fifth in the Belgian Pro League after six matchdays. While their overall home record remains impressive—just one defeat in their last 14 competitive matches, with four consecutive wins by a combined margin of 13–3—there is a sense that the team must rediscover its rhythm quickly to avoid a sluggish start in the League Phase.
Thursday’s clash will be the third time Brugge host Monaco in a Champions League fixture, and history favors the Belgians. They are unbeaten in their previous two home meetings against the Principality club, with Monaco’s only victory in Belgium coming back in 1988—a narrow 1–0 win that feels like a relic of a bygone era. Brugge’s familiarity with Monaco’s style and their historical success against French opposition at home could prove crucial, especially given the tactical nuances that are likely to define this encounter. Hayen will be keen to exploit Monaco’s occasional defensive lapses and capitalize on set-piece opportunities, an area where Brugge have consistently excelled.
Monaco, meanwhile, arrive in Belgium with ambitions of their own. After finishing third in Ligue 1 last season, Les Monegasques are back in the League Phase for a second consecutive year, hoping to build on their progress and secure back-to-back knockout stage appearances for the first time since the early 2000s. Under Adi Hütter, Monaco have developed a more balanced approach, blending attacking verve with defensive structure. Their 1–0 victory at Bologna in last season’s League Phase remains their only win in their last 12 away matches in the competition, a statistic that highlights their struggles on the road and underscores the importance of starting strong in hostile environments. Hütter will be acutely aware of the challenge posed by Brugge’s home form and will likely emphasize compactness and control in the early stages of the match.
Monaco’s record in opening Champions League fixtures is encouraging, with four wins in their last seven matchday one contests, including a 2–1 triumph over Barcelona last season that sent shockwaves through Europe. That result demonstrated Monaco’s capacity to rise to the occasion and execute a game plan against elite opposition. However, their historical record against Belgian clubs is less flattering. In four previous meetings, they have managed just one victory—a 1–0 win over Lierse in 1997—while suffering only one defeat. Their head-to-head record against Brugge is similarly modest, with just one win in four encounters, a 6–1 thrashing at Stade Louis II in 1988 that followed a 1–0 loss in the first leg of the round of 16. These statistics suggest a closely contested affair, with Monaco needing to overcome both historical precedent and the psychological challenge of playing in a venue where they have never won.
Domestically, Monaco have started the season with defensive solidity, having not conceded a single first-half goal after four matchdays. This discipline has been a hallmark of Hütter’s early tenure, and it will be crucial against a Brugge side that often starts games with high intensity and aggressive pressing. However, Monaco’s attacking output on the road in Europe has been limited, with just one first-half goal scored away from home in last season’s competition. This lack of early offensive punch could be a concern, especially if Brugge are able to seize momentum and force Monaco into a reactive posture.
In terms of squad availability, Brugge have a few concerns heading into the match. Hugo Vetlesen, Ludovit Reis, and Joaquin Seys all missed their previous Belgian Pro League fixture due to minor knocks, while Romeo Vermant was sidelined with a muscle injury. Their absence could impact Hayen’s tactical options, particularly in midfield, where Vetlesen and Reis offer creativity and ball progression. Seys, who scored a brace in the second leg against Rangers, will be a significant miss if unavailable, given his ability to stretch defenses and create space for others. Nevertheless, Brugge have attacking depth, with Christos Tzolis, Aleksandar Stankovic, Hans Vanaken, and Nicolo Tresoldi all finding the net in the rout of Rangers. Vanaken, in particular, remains a key figure, his experience and composure in midfield providing a stabilizing influence in high-pressure matches.
Monaco, too, have injury issues to contend with. First-choice goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky is out with a knee injury sustained in late August, a blow that could affect their defensive organization and confidence from the back. Former Brugge youth player Stanis Idumbo is doubtful due to a hip flexor problem, while Aleksandr Golovin missed their weekend clash with Auxerre because of muscular discomfort. Golovin’s absence would be felt keenly, as his vision and technical quality are central to Monaco’s attacking transitions. On a more positive note, Ansu Fati is nearing his debut after arriving on loan from Barcelona, and his inclusion could add a new dimension to Monaco’s forward line. Hütter has also hinted that Paul Pogba may not feature until after the next international window in October, meaning Monaco will rely on their younger midfielders to control the tempo and resist Brugge’s pressing game.
Tactically, the match promises to be a chess battle between two managers who value structure and adaptability. Hayen is likely to deploy a 4-2-3-1 system, with Vanaken operating as the central playmaker behind Tresoldi or Tzolis, depending on fitness. The wide areas will be crucial, with Brugge looking to exploit Monaco’s full-backs through overlapping runs and quick switches of play. Defensively, Brugge will aim to maintain a compact shape, denying Monaco space between the lines and forcing them into wide areas where crosses can be dealt with aerially. Set pieces will be a key weapon, with Vanaken’s delivery and Brugge’s height advantage offering a potential route to goal.
Monaco, on the other hand, may opt for a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, depending on personnel. Hütter will prioritize ball retention and positional discipline, seeking to draw Brugge out and create overloads in midfield. The absence of Hradecky means the backline must be especially vigilant, and the midfield trio—potentially featuring Youssouf Fofana, Mohamed Camara, and Eliot Matazo—will need to shield the defense and initiate quick transitions. Fati’s potential debut adds intrigue, as his dribbling and unpredictability could unsettle Brugge’s defensive structure. Monaco’s success may hinge on their ability to control the tempo and avoid being drawn into a physical battle, where Brugge tend to thrive.
As the Champions League anthem rings out and the players take to the pitch, the stakes will be clear. For Brugge, it is a chance to reaffirm their status as Belgium’s European standard-bearers and to begin another campaign with purpose and belief. For Monaco, it is an opportunity to exorcise past demons and prove that they can compete—and win—on the road in Europe. The match promises drama, intensity, and tactical nuance, and whether it ends in triumph or frustration, it will set the tone for what lies ahead in the League Phase. With both teams eager to make a statement, and with history, form, and ambition converging under the floodlights of Jan Breydel Stadium, Thursday night’s clash could be one to remember.
