Club Brugge and Barcelona lock horns at the Jan Breydel Stadium on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League.
Club Brugge vs Barcelona – Match preview and team news
- Date: Wednesday, 5th November.
- Kick-off: 8pm BST.
- Venue: Jan Breydelstadion, Brugge.
Club Brugge team news
Club Brugge will be without four key players through injury on Wednesday night. First-choice goalkeeper Simon Mignolet remains sidelined with a groin injury, forcing backup Nordin Jackers to continue between the sticks. Midfielder Ludovit Reis is set to miss the fixture with a shoulder injury expected to keep him out until mid-November, while left-back Bjorn Meijer also remains unavailable with a hamstring problem.
On a positive note, Greek winger Christos Tzolis has been in exceptional form this season, registering eight goals and eight assists in 21 appearances across all competitions. The 23-year-old has been Club Brugge’s standout performer and will be key to unlocking Barcelona’s defence. Nicolo Tresoldi, who has netted six goals and provided three assists this term, will lead the line for Nicky Hayen’s side.
Barcelona team news
Barcelona arrive in Belgium severely depleted, with five first-team players confirmed out of Wednesday’s clash. Marc-Andre ter Stegen remains out following back surgery, leaving Wojciech Szczesny to continue in goal. Midfielder Pedri is a significant absentee after suffering a hamstring tear following El Clásico. The Spanish international, who has been ever-present under Hansi Flick this season, is expected to miss approximately three weeks.
Brazilian winger Raphinha remains out with a hamstring problem that has taken longer than expected to heal, while Gavi continues his recovery from knee surgery and won’t return until 2026. Goalkeeper Joan Garcia, sidelined with a knee injury since September, is back in training but won’t be rushed back.
Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo both made their injury returns off the bench in Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Elche and are expected to be available. Lamine Yamal, despite managing an ongoing groin issue, scored in that victory and should start.
Form
Club Brugge
Nicky Hayen’s side head into Wednesday’s clash on the back of a 2-1 victory over Dender in the Belgian Pro League. They currently sit second in the table, three points behind leaders Union Saint-Gilloise.
However, their Champions League campaign has struggled after an impressive opening. Following a dominant 4-1 home victory over Monaco, Club Brugge suffered consecutive defeats to Atalanta (2-1) and Bayern Munich (4-0), leaving them 20th in the league phase standings with three points.
Barcelona
Barcelona bounced back from their 2-1 El Clásico defeat to Real Madrid with a convincing 3-1 home victory over Elche on Sunday. Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford found the net as the Catalans moved back to second place in La Liga, five points behind leaders Real Madrid.
In the Champions League, Hansi Flick’s side has collected six points from three matches, sitting ninth in the league phase standings. They opened with a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United before suffering a 2-1 home defeat to holders Paris Saint-Germain. The Catalans responded emphatically in their third outing, dismantling 10-man Olympiacos 6-1, with Fermin Lopez starring through a superb hat-trick.
Predicted lineups
Club Brugge: Jackers; Sabbe, Ordonez, Mechele, Seys; Forbs, Audoor, Stankovic, Vanaken, Tzolis; Tresoldi.
Barcelona: Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, E Garcia, Balde; Casado, De Jong; Yamal, Fermin, Rashford; F Torres.
How to watch Barcelona vs Club Brugge?
UK fans can watch the game live on TNT Sports 4. The match will also be streamed on the Discovery+ app and website for subscribers with TNT Sports included in their package.
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