Monaco boss Thierry Henry suffers 4-0 UCL defeat at home to Club Brugge

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:27 am

Club Brugge kept their Champions League hopes alive on Tuesday with a crushing 4-0 win over AS Monaco that extended coach Thierry Henry's winless start in the principality to five games.

Hans Vanaken turned in a low cross after 12 minutes to put the visitors ahead, and he doubled their lead five minutes later by scoring from the spot after Antonio Barreca handled inside the area.

Brazilian striker Wesley made it three after 24 minutes when he fired home an angled drive from just outside the box.

Bruges captain Rudd Vormer added a fourth with five minutes left.

"It was not our best match of the four we've played [in Group A]," Vanaken said. "But we've won 4-0 in Monaco, so we all have to be satisfied.

Hans Vanaken scored twice in a comprehensive victory.
VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images

"We have said it before: it is important to convert your chances in the Champions League. And today I think we converted them all. Four chances, four goals, that's the key."

Monaco, whose last win came on Aug. 11, were the stronger side in the first 10 minutes, but crumbled during that killer 13-minute period.

They improved in the second half, but Vormer's fourth goal condemned them to their heaviest-ever home loss in Europe.

The defeat -- the 18th Champions League match in a row in which they have failed to keep a clean sheet -- will heap more pressure on Henry, the former Monaco and Arsenal striker who took his first coaching job less than a month ago.

The result leaves the French club rooted to the bottom of Group A with one point, three behind the Belgian champions, and eliminated from the Champions League.