Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy sees his attempt blocked by Heidenheim goalkeeper Kevin Müller during a Bundesliga match at Signal Iduna Park on September 13, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)
In Summary:
- Borussia Dortmund aim to overcome last season’s Champions League heartbreak and start strong against Club Brugge.
- Club Brugge will try to capitalize on their home advantage but face a tough challenge against Dortmund’s unbeaten record in Belgium.
- Serhou Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi are expected to play key roles in Dortmund’s attacking strategy.
Borussia Dortmund will aim to put last season’s final heartbreak behind them when they face Club Brugge on Wednesday night.
Kicking off their 2024/25 Champions League campaigns, Borussia Dortmund and Club Brugge clash at the Jan Breydel Stadium in what promises to be a thrilling encounter in the competition’s revamped league phase.
After a stunning run to the final last season, Borussia Dortmund are back, eager to reclaim European glory, while Club Brugge missed out on last year’s competition but now have their sights set on making a significant impact.
Having conquered a “group of death” and reached the final last season, Dortmund will be keen to rekindle that magic. Despite their domestic struggles, finishing fifth in the Bundesliga, BVB are ready for another Champions League run, led by new head coach Nuri Sahin.
Historically, Dortmund have dominated Club Brugge, winning four of their last six meetings. They’ve also won their last four games in Belgium without conceding a goal. Meanwhile, Club Brugge are no strangers to European competition, with an impressive home form last season, but they will need to overcome the odds to get a result against the German side.
Team News & Tactics:
Club Brugge:
Club Brugge will benefit from the return of Kyriani Sabbe, but key players Bjorn Meijer and Casper Nielsen remain sidelined.
Danish winger Andreas Skov Olsen, their top scorer this season, leads the attack, with Gustaf Nilsson expected to spearhead the forward line in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Seys, Mechele, Ordonez, De Cuyper; Onyedika, Vetlesen; Skov Olsen, Vanaken, Tzolis; Nilsson
Borussia Dortmund:
Borussia Dortmund have received a boost with the return of Serhou Guirassy from injury, and Karim Adeyemi’s fine form will be crucial for their attacking strategy.
Dortmund are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, aiming to control the game with their creative midfield and Guirassy leading the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Anton, Sule, Bensebaini; Can, Gross; Sabitzer, Brandt, Adeyemi; Guirassy
Key Stats:
- Dortmund’s strong record against Club Brugge gives them the upper hand, having won four of their last five European games against the Belgian side.
- The German team has never conceded a goal in their four previous Champions League meetings with Brugge, a record they will be keen to maintain.
- Club Brugge’s mixed form in the Champions League, with only three wins in their last 20 home matches, suggests they may struggle against top European opposition.
Player to Watch:
Serhou Guirassy is expected to play a pivotal role for Dortmund. The Guinean striker’s return from injury comes at a crucial time, and his physicality, combined with his aerial presence, will pose a significant challenge for Brugge’s defence.
Prediction:
Given their past dominance and current form, Borussia Dortmund are expected to come away with a 2-1 victory.
While Club Brugge will offer stiff resistance at home, the firepower of Karim Adeyemi and Serhou Guirassy, alongside Dortmund’s organised defence, should see them through.