A slender 1-0 in the first leg for Club Brugge as it headed for Greece to entertain PAOK Saloniki in the UEFA Europa Conference League Round of Eight. In a tremendous first half, Blue & Black took the lead a little after the half-hour mark through Jutglà, and on the stroke of half-time the Catalan doubled the score. No more changes to the scoreline, and Club Brugge is through to the Semis of the UEFA Europa Conference League!
The 3-0 home win over the weekend against Antwerp on Sunday came with a surge of confidence for Club, but for the European trip against PAOK, interim coach Hayen was forced to make some changes to his starting line-up. With De Cuyper, Mechele and Thiago out suspended, Sabbe and Jutglà came into the team. The most surprising name was in the center of defense, where Balanta was preferred to replace Mechele, making up the unpublished central defensive duo with Ordóñez.
In a vibrant Toumba Stadium, both teams started the match lively with an early chance at both ends. Jutglà beat the offside trap and was through on goal before he tried to square it to Nusa, but the pass was intercepted. The hosts responded immediately when Despodov came eye to eye with Jackers, but the flag had gone up.
After just ten minutes play, Blauw-Zwart created a first great chance. After fine build-up play, Meijer looked up from the left-hand side and picked out the unmarked Vetlesen at the spot kick area, but the Dane smashed it over with a left-footed effort. It was clear that Club was not overwhelmed by the home side, because just a few moments later Sabbe played in Skóraś, who's low cross met Jutglà at the far post, but the striker put it wide.
Halfway through the first half Vanaken feeded the ball to Nusa in the box, but the Norwegian winger saw his attempt take a deflection before it went wide. After half an hour play Club finally broke the deadlock when Skóraś played in Sabbe and his first-time low cross towards Jutglà was tapped home: 0-1! The Catalan was industrious and dangerous in front of goal. Five minutes after his first goal he latched onto a through ball, but now he scuffed his finish wide. Club kept going and a few minutes later Vanaken's header was turned into a corner kick. On that corner his goalbound header took a little deflection on Jutglà, who tried to change the directory of the ball with his head, but Kotarski kept it out with an excellent reflex save.
But eventually Club did head towards the dressing room with a 2-goal cushion. On the stroke of half-time Skóraś cut to his right foot from the left and tried to curl it into the far corner. Kotarski tipped it away, but into the path of Jutglà who didn't hesitate to hammer it against the back of the net.
With PAOK left no other option than to go for attack in the second half, coach Lucescu brought on forwards Zivkovic and Samatta, and the first major goal threat soon followed, as the ball sailed towards the far post where Meijer thought the danger had passed, but to his upset Despodov popped up in the Dutchman's back. Fortunately the Greek striker popped it over Jackers' cage. Club soon regained control of the game, however, and responded through Nusa. The Norwegian winger used his speed to storm towards Kotarski, but eventually kicked it wide. On the hour, a scare for Club as Despodov was sent deep, and brought down by Balanta in the box. The ref resolutely pointed towards the spot, but was overruled by VAR due to off-side. PAOK's winger did remain the most dangerous man for the home side, as midway through the second half he was able to head free inside the box towards goal. Fortunately, his header lacked power and Jackers had no problem chesting his attempt.
After 75 minutes, a first change saw Nusa replaced by Odoi, manning midfield to push Vetlesen towards Nusa's position. However, it had been clear for some time that the fire had faded somewhat from the match and that was fine for Club, seeking for opportunities on the break. Moments later Vetlesen himself was replaced by Zinckernagel, immediately trying to show himself, coming inside to aim for that far corner, but slipping in his attempt.
Four minutes of added time were to no avail, and Club rightfully headed for its fans to celebrate a historic night in Greece as it steams on towards the UEFA Europa Conference League Semis! With Italy's Fiorentina victorious in that other Round of Eight game, Club will be heading for Florence early May.
UEFA Europa Conference League - Round of Eight (second leg)
Audience: 28,703 - Toumba Stadium
Referee: Mr. Davide Massa (Ita)
PAOK Saloniki: Dominik Kotarski - Jonny Otto, Tomasz Kędziora, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Abdul Rahman Baba - Kiril Despodov (71' Giannis Konstantelias), Stefan Schwab, Thomas Murg (46' Andrija Zivkovic), Soualiho Meïté (56' Magomed Ozdoev), Taison - Brandon Thomas (46' Ally Samatta).
Bench: Vieirinha, Andrija Zivkovic, Magomed Ozdoev, Giannis Konstantelias, Ally Samatta, Zivko Zivkovic, Christos Talichmanidis, Giannis Michailidis, Theocharis Tsingaras, Stefanos Tzimas.
Coach: Răzvan Lucescu.
Club Brugge: Nordin Jackers - Kyriani Sabbe, Joel Ordóñez, Éder Balanta, Bjorn Meijer - Hugo Vetlesen (83' Philip Zinckernagel), Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken - Michał Skóraś (87' Chemsdine Talbi), Ferran Jutglà, Antonio Nusa (76' Denis Odoi).
Bench: Josef Bursik, Nick Shinton, Jorne Spileers, Dedryck Boyata, Joaquin Seys, Denis Odoi, Shion Homma, Philip Zinckernagel, Chemsdine Talbi.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Yellow: none
Red: none
Goals: 33' Jutglà (0-1), 45' Jutglà (0-2).
