Club Brugge vs Barcelona: Match preview, head-to-head, team news, key players | OneFootball

Club Brugge face Barcelona in the Champions League at the Jan Breydel Stadium on Wednesday.

The Belgian side have collected just three points from their first three games in the competition, three fewer than Barcelona.

Match preview

Brugge reached the Champions League round of 16 last season but face an early exit this term.

They opened their campaign with a 4-1 win over Monaco, but have since lost to Atalanta and Bayern Munich, conceding six goals and scoring just once.

However, both defeats came on the road, and playing in front of their fans could help them avoid a third consecutive defeat.

Barcelona followed up their defeat to defending champions Paris Saint-Germain with a resounding 6-1 triumph over Olympiacos in their last outing.

They boast one of Europe’s most lethal attacks, currently spearheaded by Marcus Rashford and Lamine Yamal, but struggle defensively.

The Spanish giants’ attacking flair makes them huge favourites for this clash.

Head-to-head

Brugge have lost both previous meetings with Barcelona in the competition.

Team news

The Belgian side will be without goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, Bjorn Meijer, Ludovit Reis and Raphael Onyedika for Wednesday’s showdown.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Javi Garcia, Raphinha and Pedri are ruled out for Barcelona. Andreas Christensen is also doubtful after withdrawing from training today with a muscle problem.

Key players

Club Brugge

Hans Vanaken: Joint-first for goal involvements and big chances created. He has also completed more dribbles and passes than any of his teammates.

Carlos Forbs: His blistering pace and decisiveness will be pivotal to exploiting Barcelona’s high defensive line.

Barcelona

Marcus Rashford: Barcelona’s most in-form forward and the joint-second top scorer in the competition, with four goals.

Lamine Yamal: Hasn’t been at his best lately due to injury, but remains the Spanish side’s most dynamic forward.

Stats from uefa.com & sofascore.com.