Former Bayern Munich goalkeeper Yann Sommer has come under heavy fire from the press following a costly error in Club Brugge's Champions League opener. The 37-year-old Swiss international, who also previously guarded the net for Inter Milan, was at the centre of criticism after his new team's 2-3 defeat to Aston Villa on Tuesday. The match in Bruges marked Sommer's Champions League debut for his current club in the 2026/27 season.
What happened in the match against Aston Villa?
The game started poorly for the Belgian side. Aston Villa took the lead as early as the 11th minute through John McGinn. Club Brugge managed to equalise quickly, with Vetlesen scoring in the 19th minute to make it 1-1. The joy was short-lived, as Villa regained the lead through an Emiliano Buendia goal in the 22nd minute. The decisive moment came just before halftime. In the 43rd minute, Yann Sommer made a critical mistake that led to Villa's third goal, making it 1-3. In the second half, Tresoldi scored in the 61st minute to seal the 3-2 win for the English side.
How did Yann Sommer assess his mistake?
Facing reporters after the match, the experienced goalkeeper analysed the incident with self-criticism. Yann Sommer said: "I have to stay in goal! I thought the ball would come faster. But it didn't come faster." His words, as reported by Bild Sport, show a professional taking responsibility for his part in the defeat. With 25 appearances for Bayern and 139 for Inter, Sommer brings vast experience, but even veterans have such moments.
What is Sommer's role at Club Brugge?
For Club Brugge, Yann Sommer is a key reinforcement meant to guide a younger squad with his know-how in the Champions League. His move to Belgium followed a successful spell in Italy. The current season presents a new challenge for the Swiss keeper after years in top leagues. His contract and role as the number one make him a key figure for the team's European ambitions. Fans can view Club Brugge's full squad and upcoming schedule on our squad and fixtures pages.
How did the media react to the incident?
Sports media headlines after the match were unforgiving of the former Bayern keeper's performance. Terms like "nightmare," "catastrophic," and "howler" dominated the coverage. This harsh judgement contrasts with Sommer's otherwise steady career. The criticism focused entirely on the single error that tilted the game away from the Belgians. It is not yet clear how the goalkeeper responds in the upcoming group stage matches, all listed in the fixtures calendar.
The next opportunity for Yann Sommer and Club Brugge to make amends in the Champions League is already scheduled for the next matchday, where they will face another strong opponent.
