According to Peter Vandenbempt, Club Brugge is not at all lucky with the draw, but luck with the timing may be. At the moment, our analyst does not give the Belgian national champion a chance against “a Benfica with fabulous technique, speed and grinta”. He sees feasible tickets on the agenda for Ghent and Anderlecht.
The great luck of Club Brugge is that the 1/8 final will only be played in three months. Because Benfica is currently far out of Club’s reach.
It is not a big name like Manchester City, Bayern Munich or PSG, but it is a top team in top form. They showed that in the group stage and makes them one of the better teams in Europe.
The squad is a combination of fabulous technique, speed and grinta: they eat you completely, in midfield. The young players can combine quickly as well as kick you in half.
Only the goalkeeper, Odisseas Vlachodimos, is not Simon Mignolet. Although he also did very well in the group stage.
I can recommend the breathtaking atmosphere in the stadium with 60,000 supporters.
Benfica are now stronger than Atlético, Leverkusen and Porto, which are 8 points behind the Portuguese league. They won on the Porto field for the first time in 9 years and were in charge there.
I have seen Benfica live 6 times this season and have been captivated by the beautiful club. Not only the city, but also the experience in that stadium I can only recommend to the supporters of Club Brugge.
On top of that: Club has to bring the return leg to a successful conclusion in a breathtaking atmosphere with 60,000 supporters.
The atmosphere in the Estádio da Luz is breathtaking, according to Vandenbempt.
“With ambition, Ghent and Anderlecht must push through”
Then on to the Conference League, where Gent will meet Qarabag and Anderlecht Loedogorets.
From Qarabag I can say that Azerbaijan is very far and they play in the big stadium where some European Championship matches were played.
I don’t know any players, but a win against Nantes and a draw against Freiburg make sure that it is an unpleasant team to play against. This is especially the case for the logistically difficult relocation.
Ludogorets is somewhat better known in that regard. They beat Mourinho’s Roma at home with 2-1. There is also an old acquaintance, Sergio Padt, who once stood under the bar at KAA Gent.
If they have ambition in the Conference League, Gent and Anderlecht should put those opponents aside.
Peter Vandenbempt
