Captain Hans Vanaken: The Heart of Club Brugge
Captain Hans Vanaken will be the key player for Club Brugge as they renew acquaintances with Aston Villa in the Champions League this week. Vanaken, a 32-year-old attacking midfielder, recently won the Golden Shoe award for Belgium’s player of the year. His leadership and technical prowess have been instrumental in the team’s success. Pep Guardiola even described him as "fantastic" before Club Brugge’s 3-1 loss to Manchester City in January. As the team prepares for their clash with Aston Villa, Vanaken’s experience and vision will be crucial in maintaining the team’s form and momentum.
A Turnaround for the Ages: Beating Atalanta
Club Brugge are in buoyant mood after their remarkable 5-2 aggregate victory against last season’s Europa League winners, Atalanta, in the play-offs. This triumph marked the first time Club Brugge has won a knockout tie in the modern Champions League era. The Belgian champions controversially won 2-1 at home in the first leg thanks to a disputed stoppage-time penalty by Swedish forward Gustaf Nilsson. However, their counter-attacking display in the return leg in Italy was outstanding. Teenager Chemsdine Talbi scored twice, and Ferran Jutgla added another goal in a 3-1 triumph. This victory has boosted the team’s confidence and shown that they can compete at the highest level.
A Familiar Foe: Facing Aston Villa Again
Now, Aston Villa stand in Club Brugge’s way in Tuesday’s first leg of the Champions League last 16. The teams met in the league phase in November, with Club Brugge emerging victorious 1-0, thanks to a Hans Vanaken penalty awarded following a bizarre Tyrone Mings handball. Since then, Villa has significantly strengthened their squad with the additions of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio. Despite this, coach Nicky Hayen remains confident in his team’s ability to handle the opposition. "We don’t have a specific way to stop them," Hayen said. "They have more than just Rashford and Asensio. They have more quality now and that makes them stronger than before, but we trust our players."
A Journey of Resilience: Unexpected Success in Europe
Club Brugge were not necessarily expected to make it beyond the 36-team league phase, but they managed to squeeze through in 24th place, the last qualifying spot for the knockout phase play-offs. Along the way, they beat Austrian champions Sturm Graz and Portuguese champions Sporting, while also holding Celtic away and Juventus at home. This run is a continuation of improved performances in Europe in recent campaigns. Club Brugge reached the Champions League last 16 in 2023 and made it to the semi-finals of the Conference League last season. This is a club with a proud European history, with runs to the final of the UEFA Cup in 1976 and the European Cup in 1978, both ending in defeat against Liverpool.
Nicky Hayen: The Unlikely Architect
Nicky Hayen, the coach of Club Brugge, is the unlikely architect of the team’s recent success. Initially named coach on an interim basis in March last year following the sacking of Ronny Deila, Hayen led the Blue and Blacks to a fourth Belgian title in five years. Now aged 44, it is only three years ago that Hayen was managing Haverfordwest, finishing 10th in the very modest 12-team Welsh top flight. "I am enjoying the moment without thinking too far beyond that," Hayen reflected. "I am trying to appreciate things because I have also had some hard knocks in my career, so I know it is all relative." His team is currently second in the Belgian Pro League, just nine points behind leaders Genk, with the league splitting into play-offs after just two more games.
Preparing for the Challenge: A Balanced Approach
As Club Brugge prepares for their tie against Aston Villa, they do so with a balanced approach. The team is second in the Belgian Pro League, and while there is pressure to win the domestic title, the players can also enjoy the challenge of competing in the Champions League. The main goal threats come from Greece winger Christos Tzolis, once of Norwich City, and Gustaf Nilsson. If Club Brugge can keep the tie alive going into the return leg at Villa Park on March 12, they will stand a good chance of advancing to the quarter-finals, where they could face Liverpool again, should the Anfield club beat Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16. For now, the focus is on the first leg, and the team is ready to give their best.
