UEFA Europa League: Club Brugge v Besiktas
Thomas Meunier has highlighted the importance of Club Brugge making the most of home advantage in their UEFA Europa League last 16 first leg tie against Besiktas.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GUd37i8E6UWakzu3Rib9m4.jpg)
Brugge are battling on three fronts this term with Michel Preud'homme's side top of the Belgian Pro League and into the final of the Belgian Cup, which they contest against Anderlecht later this month.
A formidable home record has been central to their success - Brugge have not lost at the Jan Breydelstadion in any competition this term.
Besiktas are a side in form as well, though, and sit level on points with Galatasaray at the Turkish Super Lig summit, while a dramatic victory over Liverpool in the Europa League's previous round underlined their credentials in continental competition.
But Brugge full-back Meunier has no doubt that his team can claim a notable scalp, despite the injury absences of Bjorn Engels (knee) and Victor Vazquez (ankle).
"I think it's a fine draw. Personally, I don't think Besiktas is any stronger than we are," he told the club's official website ahead of Thursday's encounter.
"[Fellow Belgian side] Anderlecht showed they were stronger than Galatasaray [by beating them in the Champions League]. We should also be able to beat [Besiktas].
"It's an advantage to be playing them at home first. We have to try and create a gap in that game, so we can travel to Istanbul with an easy mind. The game in Turkey will be frenetic.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"They won't lack motivation, if you see how they played against Liverpool. Getting past them should be possible. In the Europa League, you get to play teams that are better than the average Belgian team. That comes as a great motivation."
However, Besiktas possess a striker in fine form in the shape of Demba Ba.
The former Chelsea man has 14 goals in 19 Super Lig appearances, while he has scored a further five times in the Europa League.
Head coach Slaven Bilic, who could be without Hutchinson (knee) and Jose Sosa (hamstring), is hoping the team take confidence from knocking Liverpool out of the tournament.
"We will be ready for Brugge in Thursday's match," he told Besiktas' official website. "After the Liverpool match we want to go for another important place in the club's history."
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack