After emphatically qualifying for the UCL by thumping Rangers, Club Brugge were looking to get off to a fast start here.
And within minutes, the net should have been rippling after Carlos Forbs displayed his power and pace to breach through the Monaco defence before pulling the ball back to the centre of the box, but Christos Tzolis steered his effort agonisingly wide.
Yet, despite dominating the early moments, the Belgian side were left incensed on eight minutes when Monaco were awarded a penalty on their first foray forward.
A well-worked team move saw Takumi Minamino send Mika Biereth through on goal, and the Dane was brought down in the box by the onrushing Simon Mignolet. The veteran stopper made superb amends, however, as he got down brilliantly to save Maghnes Akliouche’s penalty.
After a frantic opening quarter-hour, Mignolet’s evening was cut short as he was forced off due to an injury after making a routine save. Despite that setback, the home side soon began to assume control of the contest and completely dominated the rest of the first half.
Nicolo Tresoldi had multiple chances, but finally got his goal on his UCL debut in the 32nd minute, finishing with aplomb after being slipped in by Hans Vanaken.
The Belgians were two goals to the good mere minutes later after Les Monegasques’ defence failed to clear a corner, which allowed Raphael Onyedika to power home. The Blauw-Zwart rounded off the first-half rout as Vanaken added a third with a superb volley from just inside the box.
Three goals to the good, the home side were able to take their foot off the gas in the second half as the visitors struggled to make an impact on proceedings. Aleksandar Stankovic came close to adding a fourth for Brugge, but his header sailed narrowly wide.
That proved only a temporary reprieve for Monaco, who conceded again with 15 minutes to go following a quick break forward which culminated in Mamadou Diakhon collecting the ball in the box, dummying and lashing home.
That proved to be the final blow for Adi Hutter’s men, who took a bruising despite Ansu Fati's late consolation, and will be looking for a major improvement next time out, but they will face a major challenge when they host Manchester City.
Brugge are now unbeaten in seven home games (W6, D1), and got their UCL campaign to a flying start ahead of their away trip to Atalanta next time.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge)
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