Sabasports Match Preview
UEFA Champions League: Club Brugge vs Borussia Dortmund
Kickoff Time: 2024-09-19 03:00 (HKT)
Source:REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen
Club Brugge, as a traditional powerhouse in the Belgian Pro League, has a rich heritage and strength that should not be underestimated. In Brugge’s squad, Danish international Andreas Skov Olsen, who contributed 14 goals in the league last season, has already scored three goals this season. The assist leader from last season, Belgian player Maxim de Cuyper, is still in the team, and his presence is a source of stability for Brugge. Additionally, last season’s interception leader Brandon Mechele has contributed a team-high 21 clearances so far this season. Brugge currently has strong capabilities in all three lines of the team. Last weekend, Brugge achieved a 3-0 away victory against Kortrijk, marking their fourth consecutive win in the league. During this winning streak, Brugge scored a total of nine goals while conceding only one, showcasing a perfect performance on both offensive and defensive ends. Furthermore, Brugge’s home performance remains consistently stable, with an unbeaten record of two wins and one draw in their three home league matches this season.
Borussia Dortmund has shown impressive form in the new season, having defeated FC Heidenheim 4-2 at home last weekend. They currently hold an unbeaten record of two wins and one draw, placing them second in the Bundesliga standings. However, due to significant changes in the main lineup, there are uncertainties for Dortmund in the new season. Under the guidance of new coach Nuri Sahin, Dortmund easily won their first league match at home against Eintracht Frankfurt with a score of 2-0, but they failed to maintain that form in their subsequent away match against Werder Bremen. The match indicated that the players have not fully adapted to the new coach’s tactical approach. Additionally, Dortmund’s midfield competitiveness and attacking quality have declined compared to last season, lacking core players in the midfield and facing instability in defense. The team’s performance on both ends still needs improvement.
In terms of overall strength and reputation, Dortmund is naturally more prominent than Brugge. However, considering the stability of the teams, Brugge, with fewer player changes, undoubtedly has an advantage over Dortmund. After experiencing significant changes of coach and players, Dortmund clearly needs more time to adapt. Facing a strong home team like Brugge, it may not be wise to overestimate Dortmund’s chances.
Club Brugge’s Last 5 Games: WWWWL
24-09-15 Kortrijk 0-3 Club Brugge
24-09-01 Club Brugge 3-0 Cercle Brugge
24-08-24 FCV Dender EH 1-2 Club Brugge
24-08-18 Club Brugge 1-0 Royal Antwerp
24-08-10 Genk 3-2 Club Brugge
Borussia Dortmund’s Last 5 Games: WDWWW
24-09-14 Borussia Dortmund 4-2 FC Heidenheim
24-08-31 Werder Bremen 0-0 Borussia Dortmund
24-08-25 Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt
24-08-18 1. FC Phonix Lubeck 1-4 Borussia Dortmund
24-08-10 Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Aston Villa
Head To Head Record:
20-11-25 Borussia Dortmund 3-0 Club Brugge
20-11-05 Club Brugge 0-3 Borussia Dortmund
18-11-29 Borussia Dortmund 0-0 Club Brugge
18-09-19 Club Brugge 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
12-07-14 Club Brugge 3-1 Borussia Dortmund
Prediction: Club Brugge to win or Draw