Brugge Stuns Atleti: A European Upset Brews?

Atlético Madrid is currently experiencing a significant European slump, remaining winless in their last four encounters with Club Brugge. This ongoing winless run against the Belgian club marks their longest against any opponent in the Champions League, surpassed only by their historical struggles against Real Madrid.

Club Brugge, however, has demonstrated resilience against Spanish teams in the same competition. They have suffered only one loss in their last seven matches against Spanish sides, showcasing a growing confidence on the European stage.

Atlético Madrid's manager, Diego Simeone, has a strong track record in European knockout ties, having progressed in all four instances where the team avoided defeat away in the first leg. This statistic underscores the critical importance of their performance in the initial away fixture.

Should Club Brugge succeed, they would join Anderlecht as the only Belgian teams this century to eliminate a Spanish opponent in a major European competition. This potential achievement highlights the growing influence of Belgian clubs in European football.

Atlético's recent form in the Champions League has been a concern, with no wins in their last three matches. This mirrors a similar winless spell in the 2022-23 season, which coincided with one of the two Champions League campaigns under Simeone where they failed to advance from the group stage.