The first leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League Semi-Finals saw Club Brugge make their way to Florence to take on locals ACF Fiorentina. The Italians took an early lead after a smashing goal by Sottil, but on the quarter hour Vanaken equalized from the spot. The home team went into the break with a lead after a goal by Belotti. In the second half, Club was down to 10 after a red card for Onyedika, but Thiago still managed to draw level. In the absolute closing seconds, however, Nzola made it 3-2 on the night. All to play for in the return at Jan Breydel!
The double bill versus KRC Genk ended in two wins for Club, helping the team to first place, joining Anderlecht. The busy schedule prompted interim coach Hayen to rotate, making three changes to the starting XI compared to last Sunday's 0-3 win at the Cegeka Arena. In defense, Spileers manned the pitch at the expense of Ordóñez and in midfield Odoi took his place alongside Onyedika and Vanaken. Vetlesen had to settle for a place on the bench where he joined Nusa, Jutglà given the nod to play alongside Skóraś in support of Thiago. At Fiorentina, star player Nicolás González was, as expected, in the starting lineup.
In soaking wet conditions, Club started out best, with a first opportunity for Thiago in the very first minute, freeing up some space and trying his chance from afar, but his shot landed just over Terracciano's goal. The home team's reaction was not take in the making, however, as after five minutes the first chance for Fiorentina was an immediate hit. Sottil with the swerve on the left and a thrilling curled ball well out reach of Jackers. The early blow proved a setback for Club, and a second goal seemed in the making as Biraghi went deep on the right wing setting up González; the latter's touch to the ball was too brazen, however so Jackers saw no cause to intervene. The game now going in both directions well, Club also pressed its nose against the window. The ball fell well for Thiago, but Terracciano got in the way of his shot. In the rebound, the striker tried to reach Skóraś, but the ball landed against the arm of Biraghi. Ref Oliver was called to the VAR screen and pointed towards the spot, where Vanaken took his responsibility and remained icily calm to draw level after fifteen minutes.
González remained the one to look out for, and halfway through the first half, Onyedika headed the ball into his feet, but the Argentine kicked over. Moments later that same González threatened with a header, but this time Jackers easily picked up the ball. On the Bruges side, Jutglà was able to create a threat after a nice dribble in the penalty area, but his pass was defused by Martinez Quarta. The home side kept looking for another lead, and as Club had trouble adequately clearing the ball, Bonaventura shot from just outside the box. The hard shot was pushed away by Jackers, but came to González, who saw his effort end up with Belotti to tap in the 2-1 in true striker style. Once again, the visitors had to find a way to regain some semblance of equilibrium, and now it was especially important not to swallow another goal before halftime. Other than a Beltrán header, Fiorentina was unable to create further danger, so 2-1 was the score at half-time.
The same 22 started the second half and it was the Italians who immediately claimed the ball again resulting in another threat five minutes later. A sharp Beraghi free kick found Belotti, but his header was denied by Jackers with a great reflex to touch it over the crossbar. On the hour Club responded through Thiago pushing forward within the box, and laying it off to Jutglà, but the Catalan unfortunately could not get to the ball well enough. A few minutes later, the Bruges visitors suffered another blow, Onyedika picked up two yellow cards in a short period of time, leaving Club down to ten with thirty minutes on the clock. But much to everyone's surprise, Club managed to restore the balance! Spileers with the perfect long ball into the path of Thiago, who did the rest. With the ball at his feet, he kept his defender at bay, entered the sixteen and then kicked in from a sharp angle.
Fiorentina started gasping for air, but Club did find it increasingly difficult to keep the home team away from Jackers' cage, and this resulted in some good opportunities for the Italians. In minute 80, substitute Ikoné cut inside to pick the far corner, but Jackers had a clever floating save to avoid the goal. Shortly after, it was Belotti who was able to head in on a cross from Bonaventura, but fortunately the leather went wide. Two minutes later, the same Belotti was able to head in again, but again the ball bumped wide of Jackers' cage.
Club struggled, but seemed to be holding on to that 2-2, but injury time proved too much. Nzola, just on, first hit the post, but recovered the ball to pinpoint it into the bottom left corner to make it 3-2. A tight lead for Fiorentina as it makes its way to Bruges. At a filled to the brim Jan Breydel, all is still to play for in what will undoubtedly be a night to remember!
UEFA Europa Conference League - Semi-Final (first leg)
Spectators: 43,147 - Stadio Artemio Franchi
Referee: Mr. Michael Oliver (ENG)
ACF Fiorentina: Pietro Terracciano - Dodô, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Luca Ranieri, Cristiano Biraghi - Arthur Melo (70' Maxime Lopezà, Giacomo Bonaventura (88' Antonín Barák), Lucas Beltrán (70' Jonathan Ikoné) - Nicolás González, Andrea Belotti (88' M'Bala Nzola), Riccardo Sottil (52' Christian Kouamé).
Bench: Oliver Christensen, Nikola Milenković, Maxime Lopez, Jonathan Ikoné, M'Bala Nzola, Davide Faraoni, Alfred Duncan, Michael Kayode, Rolando Mandragora, Fabiano Parisi, Antonín Barák, Christian Kouamé.
Coach: Vincenzo Italiano.
Club Brugge: Nordin Jackers - Kyriani Sabbe, Jorne Spileers (90+3' Joel Ordóñez), Brandon Mechele, Bjorn Meijer - Denis Odoi (90+3' Éder Balanta), Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken - Michał Skóraś (66' Casper Nielsen), Igor Thiago, Ferran Jutglà (79' Hugo Vetlesen).
Bench: Simon Mignolet, Joel Ordóñez, Andreas Skov Olsen, Hugo Vetlesen, Casper Nielsen, Dedryck Boyata, Antonio Nusa, Éder Balanta, Maxim De Cuyper, Philip Zinckernagel.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Yellow: González, Onyedika (2x), Martínez Quarta, Jackers
Red: Onyedika (2 x yellow)
Goals: 5' Sottil (1-0), 17' Vanaken (1-1), 37' Belotti (2-1), 63' Thiago (2-2), 90+3' Nzola (3-2)
