Club Brugge host LASK Linz on Wednesday night in the Champions League playoff round. The Belgians won the first leg, 1-0, and aim to ease into the Champions League group stage.
The two clubs will clash at the Jan Breydel Stadium in Brugge where the home side will have a decided advantage over LASK Linz. Club Brugge took the spoils in the first leg of the Champions League playoff round.
Club Brugge have qualified for the Champions League group stage in three of the last four seasons. While Club Brugge have a history in the Champions League, LASK Linz are playing in just their second tie in the competition.
🤯 Laatste 3 voorrondes = strafschoppen3⃣0⃣e Europese match voor Vanaken?🥅 5 clean sheets in voorbije 6 #UCL-matchenLees de facts voor #CLULASK!FACTS| https://t.co/irik9yw9zf pic.twitter.com/3SCPI0zjTU— Club Brugge KV (@ClubBrugge) August 26, 2019
🤯 Laatste 3 voorrondes = strafschoppen3⃣0⃣e Europese match voor Vanaken?🥅 5 clean sheets in voorbije 6 #UCL-matchenLees de facts voor #CLULASK!FACTS| https://t.co/irik9yw9zf pic.twitter.com/3SCPI0zjTU
Hans Vanaken’s 10th-minute penalty was the difference in the first leg as Austrians couldn’t find the equaliser. LASK Linz outshot Club Brugge 15-12 in the first leg but only one shot landed on target.
LASK Linz played at the weekend on the domestic front defeating Rapid Wien 2-1. Manager Valerien Ismael led LASK Linz past FC Basel in the Champions League third qualifying round 5-2 on aggregate.
They have proven themselves a difficult team to defeat, but losing the first leg makes it difficult to overcome Club Brugge away.
Club Brugge had the weekend off from domestic league competition. The extra rest should give the Belgians the upper hand when the two teams meet at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
Like LASK Linz, Club Brugge entered the Champions League at the third qualifying round. They defeated Dynamo Kyiv 4-3 on aggregate. The Beglians won the first leg 1-0 but the second ended 3-3. Club Brugge progressed but nearly lost the tie in the second leg.
Manager Philippe Clement has just one reported injury ahead of Wednesday night’s fixture. The blue and black will be without Brandon Mechele who is struggling with a knee injury. LASK Linz will be without the injured duo of In-Pyo Oh and Christian Ramsebner.
The two teams have only met one previously and that came in the playoff round first leg. Vanaken’s penalty is the only thing separating the two sides.
LASK Linz need to attack and score goals against Club Brugge on Wednesday night. Due to the Austrians’ need to score goals, they will start on the front foot. It could leave them open at the back allowing Club Brugge to continue their goal scoring.
Club Brugge will win at home with over 2.5 goals going into the back of the nets. The Belgians will just edge past LASK Linz and reach the group stage once more.