Champions League primer

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Kairat arrive in Glasgow today after a disruptive trip across the globe.  Unlike Celtic when they travel in the opposite direction next week, Kairat cannot keep to their usual body clock routine.  It will be midnight in Almaty when tomorrow’s game kicks off – 2am by fulltime.  For professional athletes, that’s a challenge.

There are seven Champions League playoff ties this week: five in the champions section, two non-champions.  I watched Bodo/Glimt eliminate Lazio from the Europa League quarterfinal in April.  Ange Postecoglou (eventually) got the better of them in the semifinal, but I expect them to make the cut against Sturm Graz.

Benfica are likely to progress against Fenerbahce, while I fancy Copenhagen against Basel.  Red Star should have enough to overcome Cypriots Pafos.  Ferencvaros are not the side they were five years ago, they could fall to Qarabag.  As for Brugge?  They have traded big this summer, spent €36m and sold €82m of talent.  That’s a lot of change to pull together for their trip to Ibrox tonight.  The Belgians should still edge it.

With what I am assuming is mischievous ‘paper talk going round, a friend suggested if we are looking for an older striker, it’s a pity Gerd Muller passed away a few years ago.  Otherwise, he would have been ideal.

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274 Comments

  1. PeterLatchfordsBelly on

    Wonderful stuff from Ipox. Bruges 3 up in 20 mins whilst playing in 2nd gear. Could be anything they want. They park on our street so was a joy to see a couple of them getting back into their cars after half an hour. The night’s about to get worse for one of them. Someone’s managed to overturn their car and bash into one of theirs that’s parked for the game. Terrible thing that karma.

  2. WBC,the blog comedian.”His patters great,so it is.Appearing every Saturday afternoon,Daldowie Crematorium.Available for Funerals,Bar Mitzvahs,you name it,he’s the man.

     

    The things I do for people,and they don’t appreciate it.

  3. glendalystonsils on

    Brugge get away with one . Maybe waken them up , they haven’t come out for the second half.

  4. “Goal” disallowed

     

    Ball kicked when Bruges goalie has both hands on it

     

    Still 3-1 Bruges

  5. Brugge are 3-0 up at haltime, what do proffesional football teams do manage out the game ?

  6. AuroraBorealis79 on

    How long before the first Derby? They are horrible. So bad, Martin could be gone before we play them

  7. stebhoy on 19th August 2025 9:55 pm

     

    gassama is all they have – he’s very good

     

    ———–

     

     

    i dont agree with that.

     

     

    aj will have him on toast.

     

     

    show pony.

  8. Brugges have been managing out the game since they went 3-1 up!

     

    Their defenders have been playing sometimes facing their own goal ,which can also cost them!!

  9. Tom McLaughlin on 19th August 2025 2:15 pm

     

    Stuck a wee fiver on Club Brugge to win 3-1 tonight @ 16/1

     

     

    ==========================

     

    Well done Tom, I actually thought that was good shout and thought about placing that bet.

     

     

    Needless to say I didnt. At least you told us all the bet beforehand. After 3 nil I thought you had no chance!!

  10. the long wait is over on

    Now our turn.

     

     

    Let’s turn the screw even more on them with a statement performance and score line tomorrow night.