The UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds continue to deliver high-stakes drama as Club Brugge hosts Salzburg in the second leg of their third-round qualifier. Following a narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg in Austria, Club Brugge returns to their home ground, Jan Breydel Stadium, with a crucial one-goal advantage. The Belgian champions, known for their strong home form, are now in a commanding position to advance to the play-off round. For Salzburg, the task is clear: they must find a way to score on the road and win the match to keep their European dreams alive. This is a must-win scenario for the Austrian side, and they will be throwing everything at Club Brugge to secure a crucial away goal.
Club Brugge, fresh off a solid domestic victory, has shown both defensive resilience and attacking threat in their recent outings. The team has been boosted by a number of new signings, including Nicolo Tresoldi, and will be looking to their star players like Christos Tzolis and Hans Vanaken to lead the charge. Salzburg, on the other hand, is reeling from a number of injuries, with up to nine players potentially sidelined. Despite these setbacks, the Austrian side is known for its attacking philosophy and will not back down. They recently bounced back with a convincing 5-0 win in their domestic league, showcasing their attacking potential even with a depleted squad. This match promises to be a tense, tactical battle, with Club Brugge aiming to protect their lead and Salzburg desperately seeking a comeback.
Match Details
Competition: UEFA Champions League, 3rd Qualifying Round (2nd Leg)
Location: Bruges, Belgium
Stadium: Jan Breydel Stadium
Date: Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Kick-off Time: 1:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM BST / 7:30 PM CEST
Referee: Irfan Peljto (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Head-to-Head & Form Guide
The history between Club Brugge and Salzburg is limited but intense. In their previous three competitive meetings, Club Brugge holds the edge with two wins to Salzburg’s one. The recent 1-0 victory in the first leg was the first meeting between the two sides in over five years. Club Brugge’s recent form has been impressive, with four wins in their last five matches across all competitions. Salzburg, despite their first-leg loss, has shown resilience with a convincing domestic victory, but their injury list remains a major concern heading into this crucial tie. The pressure is on Salzburg to perform, while Club Brugge will be looking to their home advantage to close out the tie.
Club Brugge:
Club Brugge enters this match in a strong position, with the advantage of a clean sheet and an away goal. The team’s recent signings, including Nicolo Tresoldi, have added depth and quality to the squad. They have also seen a strong performance from their key players, with Christos Tzolis and Hans Vanaken providing crucial goals and assists. Manager Nicky Hayen is expected to field a strong and disciplined side, prioritizing defensive solidity while looking for opportunities to extend their lead on the counter-attack. The return of key players from injuries and a full-strength squad makes them a formidable opponent.
August 9, 2025: Club Brugge 2–0 Cercle Brugge (Belgian Pro League)
August 6, 2025: Salzburg 0–1 Club Brugge (Champions League)
August 1, 2025: KV Mechelen 2–1 Club Brugge (Belgian Pro League)
Salzburg:
Salzburg faces an uphill battle but should not be underestimated. Despite a growing injury list, the team has shown they can still be a dangerous attacking force. They recently secured a resounding 5-0 victory in their domestic league, demonstrating their depth and resilience. The team’s key players will be Petar Ratkov and Yorbe Vertessen, who will be tasked with finding a way to break through a tough Club Brugge defense. Manager Gerhard Struber will be looking for a fast start from his team, and they will need to be aggressive in their attack to have any hope of overturning the aggregate score.
August 9, 2025: Grazer AK 0–5 Salzburg (Austrian Bundesliga)
August 6, 2025: Salzburg 0–1 Club Brugge (Champions League)
July 30, 2025: Salzburg 1–1 Brann (Friendly)
Tactical Analysis & Key Players
Club Brugge will likely play a cautious and organized game, looking to protect their lead and exploit any mistakes from Salzburg. The battle in midfield will be key, with Hans Vanaken tasked with controlling the tempo of the game and supplying the forwards with quality service. Salzburg, on the other hand, will be forced to be more aggressive, pushing their defenders higher up the pitch to support the attack. They will look to the creativity of their attacking midfielders to create chances and will need to be clinical in front of goal. The match is set to be a classic “attack versus defense” scenario, but with the pressure on Salzburg to perform, an open and high-scoring contest is a distinct possibility.
How to Watch Club Brugge vs. Salzburg on TV, Live Stream
CountryTV/Live StreamBelgiumRTL, VTM, Proximus, Play SportsAustriaServusTV, ServusTV OnUnited KingdomTNT Sports, discovery+United StatesParamount+, TUDN
For viewers in Belgium, the match will be broadcast on RTL, VTM, Proximus, and Play Sports. In Austria, you can catch the action on ServusTV and its streaming service. For viewers in the United Kingdom, the match will be broadcast on TNT Sports and discovery+. In the United States, the match is available on Paramount+ and TUDN. For all other regions, broadcasting information can vary, so it’s best to check official UEFA or local sports broadcasting websites for the most up-to-date information on how to watch the match live.
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