Club Brugge has qualified for the semi-finals of the Conference League and has the ambition to also perform in the double confrontation with Fiorentina. Chairman Bart Verhaeghe therefore hoped that the competition matches would be postponed, but in vain.
Club chairman Bart Verhaeghe immediately thought about what was to come after the win against the Greek PAOK. “We are facing a busy calendar, while we are in the semi-finals of a European tournament. Belgium really needs to change. We are going to ask to postpone our league matches before the matches with Fiorentina.”
Verhaeghe was referring to the away games of April 28 and May 5 against Racing Genk and Antwerp, each four days before the games against Fiorentina, last year’s losing finalist. Club can visit Italy on May 2, and Fiorentina will be guests at the Jan Breydel Stadium on May 8.
But he immediately feared that his question would not be answered. “Probably not, because the calendar is full. Actually, that doesn’t serve our football. Everyone has an interest in Club continuing. Whether that is Club, Anderlecht, Genk or Union. I wish it for everyone. It contributes to the value and level of Belgian football.”
His fears turned out to be justified: the calendar manager has already informed Club Brugge that there is no room for shifts. Club will therefore have to make do with the current calendar.
“In this phase of the European competition, other teams are facilitated in their own competition to perform at European level,” said Verhaeghe. “In Belgium it is very sad and sad to find that this is not possible. We are a very unprofessional football country. I really regret that, as the top team in our country. We urgently need to change the organization of our competition. This is not compatible with how football is played in Europe.”
Belgium equals record coefficient
The performance of Club Brugge is good news for our country’s place on the UEFA coefficient list, which helps determine how many teams may be sent to European competitions in the coming years.
With 14,200 points; equaling last season’s record, Belgium is in sixth place. Belgium is eighth in the rankings over five seasons. This results in one direct ticket for the League phase of the reformed Champions League, the Belgian vice-champion will have to play two preliminary rounds.
Italy leads the coefficient list with 19,428 points and can no longer miss out on a place in the first two, which means that it will be assured of five tickets for the Champions League next season. Germany (17,928) and England (17,375) battle for second place. France (16,083) and Spain (15,312) are also ahead of Belgium. (Belgian)
