Drawing 1-1 at home against Manchester United, there is still hope for Club Brugge that they can knock out Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side of the Europa League and continue their journey around the continent.
The result wasn’t ideal, as they allowed Anthony Martial to score a precious away goal, but the travelling fans, with some leaving Belgium on Wednesday evening at 6pm, are optimistic of causing an upset.
Making the trip are various members of the Wallonia Bruges Army, the only official fan club of the Jupiler Pro League side, and their president, Cyril Noël, spoke to Walfoot about their experience so far and expectations for Thursday evening.
He said: “A European away game is always special and magical. We’ve been spoiled these past couple of years. Signal Iduna Park and the Wanda Metropolitano last year. Santiago Bernabéu, Parc des Price and Old Trafford this time around.
“Hope is certainly there despite important players like Vormer, Dennis and Balanta missing. However, if we’re in Manchester, it’s because we believe in it. Also, let’s not forget we’re better away than at home this year in Europe. Our fans predict a 2-2 draw. Either way, we’ll be more or less 5000 Brugge fans at Old Trafford tonight. We’ll make more noise than them and push our team to the max. Everything is allowed at the Theatre of Dreams.”
While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made it clear the Europa League wasn’t exactly the club’s first priority this season, with the Norwegian preferring to focus on finishing in the top four, there will be hope within the United fanbase that pride will push the players to go as far as possible in the competition.
After all, the Old Trafford faithful are also known to relish away trips in Europe whenever they become available. First, they need to take on the challenge of out-singing the Wallonia Army.
