As Club Brugge prepares to host Atalanta in the Champions League knockout phase playoff, the Belgian side finds itself in an enviable position with a fully fit squad. This stands in stark contrast to their Italian opponents, who are grappling with a significant injury crisis.
While Nordin Jackers has been the preferred choice for Club Brugge in the Belgian Cup, the Champions League encounter will see the experienced Simon Mignolet guarding the net. The veteran goalkeeper will be shielded by a defence featuring the impressive 20-year-old Joel Ordonez. The young Colombian has made history this season, becoming the youngest player to play every minute of every Champions League match so far. His achievement is only surpassed in the club’s European history by Charles De Ketelaere, who holds the record for most minutes played in the competition while under 21.
Speaking of De Ketelaere, the former Brugge prodigy is set to face his boyhood club. Having joined the Belgian side at the tender age of seven and netting 26 goals for the first team before his move to Milan in 2022, De Ketelaere has been in scintillating form this season. His involvement in nine Champions League goals has even overshadowed Atalanta’s primary striker, Mateo Retegui.
Another familiar face in this fixture is Odilon Kossounou, who enjoyed a successful spell with Brugge from 2019 to 2021, securing two league titles. However, he now finds himself on Atalanta’s extensive injury list and will miss the reunion.
Atalanta’s injury woes extend beyond Kossounou, with key players Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini ruled out for the remainder of the season. The list of absentees also includes Sead Kolasinac, first-choice goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi, and the influential Ademola Lookman.
Despite these setbacks, Atalanta have bolstered their squad for the knockout rounds with the registration of new signings Daniel Maldini and Stefan Posch, both of whom should be available for selection.
Club Brugge (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Seys, Mechele, Ordonez, De Cuyper; Jashari, Onyedika; Talbi, Vanaken, Tzolis; Jutgla
Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Patricio; Posch, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Pasalic; Retegui
