Champions League: Sommer’s Nightmare Blunder Dooms Bruges

The single-group stage of the 2026-27 Champions League got off to the worst possible start for Yann Sommer, who played a decisive—albeit negative—role in Bruges’ home loss to Aston Villa, which pulled off a 3-2 victory in Belgium. The former Inter Milan goalkeeper conceded three goals, and he bore significant responsibility for the third goal, scored by Jackson in the 43rd minute.

Sommer came out completely off his line, leaving the goal wide open for the Aston Villa forward. Moreover, the Swiss goalkeeper was not without fault on the second goal either, scored by Buendia in the 22nd minute. Aston Villa had opened the scoring in the 11th minute with McGinn, who skillfully found the far corner with a precise left-footed shot. Bruges reacted immediately, equalizing just eight minutes later through Vetlesen, but then fell apart. Tresoldi’s goal in the second half—a cool finish from the penalty spot that made it 2–3—proved futile. It was a decidedly more positive evening for former Parma player Suzuki, who was confident and alert in goal.

In the other match that kicked off the round, AEK Athens secured a narrow 1-0 victory over LASK thanks to a splendid free kick by Razvan Marin. The former Empoli and Cagliari midfielder decided the match in the 21st minute with a perfect set-piece that found the top corner.