On Match day 4 of the Champions' Playoffs, Club Brugge headed to the Dudenpark for a confrontation with Union SG. In the first half, both teams kept each other in balance, but in the second half it was Club that took the lead through Vetlesen. Down to 10 after a second yellow for Vetlesen, Club managed to double the score after a heading goal by Meijer. A nifty tying goal from Puertas was all that was in it for Union, and so Club has now completely scrambled the title race!
Blauw-Zwart had a historic evening on Thursday by qualifying for the Semi-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League at the expense of PAOK. In the home league, however, a new clash awaited at Union, leaving interim coach Hayen no choice but to shuffle things around again. Most notable absentee was Onyedika, out on suspension, but replaced by Balanta, moving up a row . In the back, Spileers and Mechele teamed up at the center of defense. The last change occurred in the offensive compartment where Thiago reinstated his place in the point at the expense of European hero Jutglà.
It was the home side that immediately put forward pressure, leading to a great opportunity in the opening minutes. Castro-Montes tried to dribble through the defense in the box, but the ball ended up at the feet of Nilsson seizing up for a strike from close range, but fortunately for Club the Swede could not keep the leather low enough to frame his shot. Soon after, Puertas was neatly put through to try from an acute angle, but this time Jackers stood tall to prevent an early opener. After Union's blitz start, Club was gradually able to restore the balance, though, and after 10 minutes the visitors were able to threaten for the first time, Sabbe smashing the ball into the pack where Vetlesen was able to deviate the leather with his head, but his effort went wide of goal. The home team's reaction did not last long, however, as shortly before the fifteen minute mark the ball was put in front of goal and Nilsson was able to hit the ball with his head. This allowed Puertas to take it in one go, but this time his shot landed over Jackers' cage.
'Intensity' remained the key word though and there were many tough duels fought. Thirty minutes into the game, there was a threat when Amoura pushed forward at speed, but luckily Mechele was just able to deviate his pass allowing Jackers to easily pick up. Five minutes later, the visitors had an excellent opportunity to take the lead. Vetlesen played the ball well into the sixteen for the infiltrating Nusa with a chance to make it 0-1, but the Norwegian was too impressed and missed the leather. A few minutes later a scrimmage brought the ball to the Norwegian winger again, but this time he fired high over. Club took strides, and Sabbe also took his chance from distance. The youngster kept his shot well low, but Machida put the ball into corner kick. From there captain Vanaken was able to head, but again not framed. Shortly before halftime, the Brussels team had two more flares ready: an Amoura shot was fortunately deflected by Spileers and shortly afterwards Jackers had to pull out all the stops to sweep a Lapoussin effort over the crossbar. Both teams kept each other in pretty good balance and so we went to rest with a goalless draw.
The second half started with the same 22 names and initially also with the same game picture, i.e. Union trying to switch quickly via Amoura, among others. Yet it was Club that took the lead! Moris wanted to deliver the ball quickly, but Vetlesen tried to jump in front of it. The leather landed against the foot of the Norwegian and so the ball capriolized against the nets. Confusion as to whether the goal would count was cleared by VAR. The goal threat after halftime continued to come from Club, though. Skóraś put the ball sharply in front of goal and at the far post Meijer was able to head the ball from close range, but the ball went over. Just before halfway through the second half, Blauw-Zwart was dealt a blow. Vetlesen had already been yellow-carded and went too fierce on Mac Allister. A second yellow card, and consequently red, was the harsh verdict and so the Bruges players had to weather the Union storm for another half hour down to ten.
This was obviously the signal for Union to pile on the pressure on the Bruges defense. Puertas tried with a blast to the top left corner, but Jackers again kept a strong game and prevented the equalizer. A few minutes later, however, a second goal for Club gave the visitors some breating room: De Cuyper sliced a corner kick well and Meijer headed the ball into the far corner via the post into the nets. A welcome goal for the visitors, but moments later the hosts drew closer: a Puertas free kick from just outside the box went in beautifully, leaving Jackers no chance. This goal obviously gave Union renewed hope and they went all out in search of that equalizer. At Club, the main thing now was to stay well organized.
Five extra minutes were counted, but in it Club held up well against Union's pressure. The victory was not given away and so Blue & Black move to two points of the leader's position. Next up are two important duels against that other team in form, KRC Genk.
Jupiler Pro League - Champions' Play-offs: Match Day 4
Audience: 9,400 - Stade Joseph Marien
Referee: Mr. Jasper Vergoote
Union Saint-Gilloise: Anthony Moris - Kevin Mac Allister, Christian Burgess, Koki Machida - Alessio Castro-Montes, Charles Vanhoutte (81' Noah Sadiki), Mathias Rasmussen (81' Kevin Rodríguez), Cameron Puertas, Loïc Lapoussin - Mohamed Amoura, Gustaf Nilsson.
Bench: Heinz Lindner, Ross Sykes, Noah Sadiki, Casper Terho, Henok Teklab, Lazare Amani, Elton Kabangu, Dennis Eckert Ayensa, Kevin Rodríguez.
Coach: Alexander Blessin.
Club Brugge: Nordin Jackers - Kyriani Sabbe, Jorne Spileers, Brandon Mechele, Bjorn Meijer - Éder Balanta (61' Denis Odoi), Hugo Vetlesen, Hans Vanaken - Michał Skóraś (71' Maxim De Cuyper), Igor Thiago (87' Joel Ordóñez), Antonio Nusa (61' Ferran Jutglà).
Bench: Nick Shinton, Josef Bursik, Joel Ordóñez, Dedryck Boyata, Maxim De Cuyper, Denis Odoi, Shion Homma, Chemsdine Talbi, Philip Zinckernagel, Ferran Jutglà.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Yellow: Vetlesen, Amoura, Lapoussin, Castro-Montes, Odoi
Red cards: Vetlesen (2x yellow).
Goals: 52' Vetlesen (0-1), 74' Meijer (0-2), 82' Puertas (1-2)
