Rabat – Barcelona visit Belgium tonight to play Club Brugge in their fourth UEFA Champions League group-stage match.
Barcelona has six points from three games. They beat Newcastle United and Olympiacos but lost 2-1 to Paris Saint-Germain.
A win in Bruges would help them move closer to the knockout stage in the new league-format competition.
Club Brugge has three points. They started strong with a 4-1 win over AS Monaco, but then lost 2-1 to Atalanta and 4-0 to Bayern Munich. They are hoping to bounce back at home.
Match Details:
- Fixture: Club Brugge vs Barcelona
- Competition: UEFA Champions League (Group Stage, Matchday 4)
- Venue: Jan Breydel Stadium (Bruges, Belgium)
- Date: Wednesday, November 5
- Kick-off: 9:00 p.m. (GMT+1)
- How to Watch: beIN Sports 1 (MENA), Paramount+, Movistar+
Barcelona team news
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is missing several key players for tonight’s match.
Winger Raphinha is out with a hamstring injury.
Midfielder Pedri will not return until after the November break due to a muscle issue.
Gavi is recovering from knee surgery and will be out long-term.
Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen is still recovering from back surgery, and backup Joan García is also injured. Defender Andreas Christensen has a calf problem and may not play.
On the positive side, Lamine Yamal is fit again and expected to start. Striker Robert Lewandowski and playmaker Dani Olmo are still regaining fitness and may come off the bench.
Club Brugge team news
Club Brugge also has injury concerns:
Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet is out with a groin injury, so Nick Shinton or Senne Lammens will start.
Midfielder Ludovit Reis is sidelined with a shoulder injury. Raphael Onyedika returned from injury last weekend but may not be ready to start. Left-back Bjorn Meijer is a doubt but could play.
In attack, Brugge will rely on Christos Tzolis, the club’s top goalscorer with eight goals and eigth assists this season.
What to expect
Barcelona will try to control the game with their usual possession and pressing style. Even away from home, coach Hansi Flick wants his team to start strong and quiet the Brugge crowd early.
With their home stadium unavailable this season, Barça have done well on the road, winning their last four Champions League away games.
Wingers like Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford will stay wide to stretch Brugge’s defense. Frenkie de Jong will lead the passing game in midfield.
Club Brugge, coached by Nicky Hayen, will likely defend deep and try to hit on the break. They are unbeaten in seven home games this season and play with strength and speed.
Barcelona have won both previous matches against Brugge, back in the 2002/2003 season.
They also have a strong record against Belgian teams. But Brugge has done well against Spanish clubs recently, losing just one of their last seven games.
Safe Bets
- Both Teams to Score: Yes, Barcelona are strong in attack and should score. But Club Brugge are also dangerous at home; they’ve scored in 17 of their last 18 European home games.
- Over 2.5 Goals: Likely, Barcelona’s games often have lots of goals.
- Lamine Yamal to Score or Assist: Yes, Yamal is one of Barcelona’s top attacking players. He scored in the last La Liga game and often creates chances.
- Barcelona to Win: Yes
Final score: Barcelona 4-1 Club Brugge.
