The increase in revenues of the top five European leagues has, over the past few decades, had a detrimental impact on those on the outside. Clubs from the likes of Belgium and the Netherlands who had competed for European trophies saw their best players leave and the gap increase. As a result, they ended up struggling to have any real impact in European football. Sides from the top five leagues who drew a Belgian side in the qualification or group stages of a European competition would expect to win. Thanks to one side in particular, that is no longer the case.
Club Brugge followed up their victory away to Inter with a 3-0 win over Ligue 1 side Lens on Wednesday evening. The fact that this result was by no means a surprise shows that Club Brugge have cemented themselves as a team capable of competing in the Champions League. They have also shown that this can be done through shrewd recruitment and player development. The academy has become a source of players capable of playing at the top of European football, while the scouting department has looked to find talent that has yet to reach its full potential. Club Brugge then cash in on this talent and begin the cycle again.
Yet their famous victory in Milan was merely another step in a process that begun some time ago. Under Carl Hoefkens back in 2022/2023, the side qualified for the knock-out stages of the competition, proving to themselves more than anyone else that their model can work in European football. Every summer, Club Brugge lose players, but the skill is in being able to replace them through new signings or by bringing in players from the academy.
The goal scorers against Lens highlight how Club Brugge have been successful. Hans Vanaken has been there since 2015. He has been one of the factors in the sides success, and being able to keep him at the club for over a decade has helped Club Brugge remain one of the best teams in Belgium, giving them more opportunities in European football as a result. This then allows for them to offer European football to new players.
The second goal was scored by 21-year-old Joaquin Seys, a product of the Club Brugge academy. Seys, who is also a full Belgian international now, will be of interest to a number of clubs next summer, and Club Brugge will certainly be asking for a lot of money to let him go. Yet behind Seys there are already a few players who could step into his role, such as Kyriani Sabbe.
The third goal was scored by Carlos Forbs. The winger joined from Ajax after a disappointing loan spell with Wolves. It was considered a gamble by Club Brugge to bring Forbs in, but it is one that has definitely paid off. His pace on the counter has been instrumental in their Champions League success and, remarkably, it is in Europe where he has had more eye catching performances than back in the Pro League. Club Brugge saw value in the 22-year-old that Ajax didn’t, and since moving to Brugge Forbs has regained his confidence.
One by product of this success is that expectations are now higher at Club Brugge than ever before. Fans, players and staff expect them to compete in Europe. The victory away to Inter and a routine second half performance against Lens only solidifies the opinion that Club Brugge are no longer a team making up the numbers in the Champions League. They are a team that has to be taken seriously now, both home and away. Next up is a game against Dutch champions PSV, one that both sides will consider winnable.