Club Brugge KV vs Atalanta

After narrowly making it through to the knockout stages, Club Brugge is set to face Atalanta BC in the first leg of their Champions League playoff at Jan Breydelstadion on Wednesday. Both teams enter the tie with contrasting paths to this stage, but they share the same ambition: securing a spot in the last 16, where they will encounter either Lille or Aston Villa.

Club Brugge's journey to this point has been anything but straightforward. Despite enduring a 3-1 loss to Manchester City in their final league-phase fixture, they successfully navigated the newly expanded 36-team format of the Champions League. Claiming the last available qualification spot with a 24th-place finish, Brugge exceeded expectations by overcoming notable opponents such as Aston Villa and Sporting Lisbon along the way.

While their defeat to City marked the end of an impressive 20-match unbeaten run—comprising 15 victories—Brugge demonstrated resilience to secure their place in the knockout phase. This achievement is all the more significant considering their previous track record in the competition. Having last reached this stage two years ago, they suffered a heavy 7-1 aggregate loss to Benfica in the round of 16, a memory they will be keen to erase this time around.

Under the guidance of head coach Nicky Hayen, Brugge has continued to flourish domestically. They secured their 19th Belgian league title in the 2023-24 season, marking their fourth triumph in five years. Currently positioned as the closest challengers to Pro League leaders Genk, they remain in strong contention for domestic success. Furthermore, their progress to the Belgian Cup final adds another layer of motivation as they aim to cap off the season with silverware.

Brugge recently ended a rare five-match winless streak by securing a victory against 10-man Leuven, with in-form forward Gustaf Nilsson scoring his fifth goal in as many league appearances. The team's attacking consistency has been a key factor in their success, having failed to score in just one of their last 30 matches—an anomaly that came against Juventus last month. Additionally, their European campaign has seen them face formidable Italian opposition, including AC Milan, to whom they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at San Siro. Now, they prepare to test themselves against another Serie A outfit.

Historically, Brugge has struggled against Italian teams, with their last victory over a Serie A side dating back 22 years, when they overcame AC Milan. They are determined to break that unenviable record in midweek as they host Atalanta, a team with significant European pedigree in recent years.

While Brugge barely scraped through the group stage, Atalanta came agonizingly close to securing direct entry into the last 16. The Italian side was on the verge of claiming a top-eight finish, but a dramatic draw against Barcelona on the final matchday saw them slip to ninth place, forcing them into the playoffs.

Atalanta displayed remarkable resilience against Barcelona, twice coming from behind at Montjuic. However, their inability to find a late winner ultimately cost them a direct ticket to the knockout stage. Despite this setback, they have already demonstrated their quality in the competition, securing dominant victories and holding elite opposition at bay. Notably, they registered two emphatic wins by five-goal margins and managed to hold both Barcelona and Arsenal to draws.

The Bergamo-based club, winners of last season's Europa League, might feel aggrieved at having to take the longer route to the round of 16. However, their recent performances suggest they have the tools to navigate this challenge successfully. Gian Piero Gasperini's men have qualified for the Champions League knockout rounds in two of their last three appearances in the tournament, and their defensive solidity this season enhances their chances of doing so again.

Atalanta has traditionally been recognized for their attacking prowess, having netted a club-record 126 goals in 2024. However, their defensive improvements have been particularly noteworthy in this campaign. Conceding just six goals in the group stage, they boasted the fourth-best defensive record, with only Arsenal allowing fewer shots on target. Such resilience at the back has been instrumental in their progression and will be a crucial factor as they take on Brugge.

Despite their strong defensive showings, Atalanta suffered just one defeat in the league phase—a narrow loss to reigning champions Real Madrid. Their ability to secure victories on the road has also been evident, with notable away wins against Shakhtar Donetsk, Stuttgart, and Young Boys.

However, their overall form has been somewhat inconsistent in recent weeks. Atalanta's impressive 15-match unbeaten streak was recently brought to an end, coinciding with a dip in performances in 2025. After leading Serie A at the turn of the year, they have struggled to maintain momentum, winning only three of their last 11 matches across all competitions. A disappointing Coppa Italia quarter-final defeat to Bologna further dented their aspirations, effectively ending their hopes of domestic silverware.

Although the Serie A title race appears to have slipped beyond their reach, Atalanta remains firmly in contention for a top-four finish. Their recent victory over Hellas Verona was a timely boost, with star striker Mateo Retegui delivering an outstanding performance by scoring four of their five goals. The Argentine forward has been in sensational form and is currently among the leading contenders for the Capocannoniere, Serie A's top scorer award. Retegui's prolificacy will be a crucial asset as Atalanta seeks to overcome Brugge and progress further in the Champions League.

Both teams have plenty at stake as they prepare for this high-stakes encounter. Club Brugge, buoyed by their passionate home support, will aim to capitalize on their first-leg advantage before heading to Italy for the return fixture. Meanwhile, Atalanta, possessing the firepower and defensive resilience required for success in Europe, will be determined to assert their authority away from home.

As the match unfolds at Jan Breydelstadion, Brugge's attacking enterprise and Atalanta's balanced approach promise to make for an enthralling contest. With a place in the last 16 on the line, neither side can afford to hold back. The battle for supremacy begins on Wednesday, and both clubs will be eager to seize the moment and take a significant step forward in their European journey.