On paper, today’s game between Club Brugge and Manchester City at the Etihad is a mismatch, as the English champions are much stronger financially, but, as someone once said, “it’s a funny old game”. As an example, City’s squad cost is more than ten times as much as Club Brugge, while the wage bill is £340m higher. Of course, they are very much the underdogs in this evening’s game against Manchester City, but even if they don’t manage to qualify, the income they receive from this season’s competition will still make a substantial difference to their bottom line. One of the most successful clubs in Belgium Club Brugge are one of the most successful clubs in Belgium, having won no fewer than 19 league titles, including six in the last nine years. Much of this has been built on money earned from regularly competing in Europe, which has given them a financial advantage over the rest of the Belgian Pro League. A recent highlight came two years ago when they reached the Champion...