Tension is mounting as Club takes on the second leg of the CL preliminary rounds. The first leg provided Club with a slender lead, but Red Bull Salzburg will give it their best to overturn that crooked situation. Here's all you need to know about this game in our Club Facts.
THE FIXTURE
Jan Breydel is the venue for the battle between Club Brugge and RB Salzburg for that much coveted spot in the UEFA Champions League. For the 375th time, Club will be competing in Europe (234 for Salzburg).
On 15 earlier occasions did Club meet with Austrian opposition. In six home games, Club won four times, drew once and also lost once. The game in Salzburg ended in a 0-1 win last week, Romeo Vermant with his first goal in Europe, tapping in a fine Bjorn Meijer cross. The win is the 50th in Europe for Club, and a sad première for Salzburg, beaten by a Belgian team on Austrian turf for the first time.
Clocking in at 88, Brandon Mechele now holds the record at Club alongside Gert Verheyen. Hans Vanaken is just one game behind.
Club's 2-0 win against Cercle Brugge means the team managed to score in ten consecutive games. Meanwhile, RB Salzburg earned an easy win against Grazer AK, with (fellow Belgian) Yorbe Vertessen taking care of two goals in an emphatic 5-0 win.
The winner of this encounter will be taking on Rangers FC or Viktoria Plzen in the CL Play-Offs. Rangers will be defending a 3-0 lead from the first leg.
MILESTONES
- This could be the 110th game for Bjorn Meijer in Club attire.
- Zaid Romero could be donning the Club jersey for the 20th time.
- Hugo Vetlesen is up for a 25th game in Europe for FCB.
THE MAN IN BLACK
Tonight's referee hails from Bosnia. 41-year old Mr. Irfan Peljto (41) will be backed by his compatriots Mr. Senad Ibrišimbegović and Mr. Davor Beljo, while Mr. Luka Bilbija will be fourth official.
An Australian in charge of VAR in Mr. Jarred Gillett, alongside Mr. Peter Bankes (Eng) as assistant-VAR. Observing for UEFA will be Mr. Chaim Ya’akov, with Mr. Christian Kofoed as UEFA representative.
Mr. Peljto has been at the top of Bosnian football since 2013, with ten years of international refereeing under his belt. He was in charge of last season's UEFA Conference League (Real Betis – Chelsea FC). This will be the third game involving Club Brugge, after home games against Bayer Leverkusen (1-0, 2022) and Borussia Dortmund (0-3, 2023).