Jan Breydel Stadion hosts a fascinating Round of 32 tie in the UEFA Champions League as Club Brugge KV welcome Atletico Madrid. In the overall standings, Atletico sit higher (14th, 13 points) than Brugge (19th, 10 points), but the form lines tell a different story. Brugge have been strong at home in Europe this season, winning 4 of 6 and averaging 3.2 goals per home game. Atletico, by contrast, have struggled on their travels, losing 2 of 4 away and conceding 10 goals in those matches.
Key Battle
The key battle is Brugge’s free-scoring attack against Atletico’s shaky away defence. Brugge have hit 28 goals in 12 Champions League matches this campaign, while Atletico concede an average of 2.5 goals per game away. Creative midfielder Hans Vanaken is central to Brugge’s threat, with 4 goals and 4 assists already. Atletico must also cope without injured midfielder P. Barrios, thinning their options in the middle against Brugge’s high-tempo play.
Expect an open, attacking contest in Brugge, with the hosts’ firepower capable of unsettling Atletico’s vulnerable away back line.
