Not a first prize for Club to start the new season, as Union lifted the Super Cup after a 1-2 win. Puertas and Leysen gave last year's cup winners a 0-2 lead, while new signing Tzolis halved it with ten minutes on the clock. Despite a final offensive from our part, the score didn't change anymore.
Just under two months after the title celebration, Club Brugge faced a hefty opponent with Union. Coach Nicky Hayen named four debutants in his line-up. Zaid Romero played alongside Brandon Mechele in the heart of the defence, with two other debutants on the side: Amine Et-Taïbi and Joaquin Seys were the full-backs due to the injuries of Meijer and Sabbe and De Cuyper just resuming training following his selection for the European Championship. Christos Tzolis was also given the nod. The Greek played on the left-hand side of a three-man attack with Jutglà and Nusa. Nielsen, Vetlesen and Vanaken played in midfield. Gustaf Nilsson started on the bench against his former team.
Seven minutes into the game a quick break from the visitors sent Ecker Ayensa running towards Mignolet, but Romero was just quick enough to outmuscle the German. At the other end, Moris had rushed out to head away a ball before the onrushing Jutglà. Then, a chance at both ends: first Mechele cleared a cross before the goal line, while Vanaken headed the ball straight in the arms of Moris. The best chance followed after twenty minutes. Tzolis whipped in a good cross, which was headed away, but straight in the path of Nielsen who took it on the volley and forced Moris into making a solid diving save.
Apart from a shot by Jutglà, there were no more chances after that until five minutes before half-time, when Kabangu darted inside the penalty area and lost his balance with Romero breathing down his neck. Referee Van Driessche did not hesitate to point to the spot. A lengthy VAR check followed, but the decision was not overruled and Puertas slotted it home to give the visitors the lead.
Zaid Romero, who was booked early in the game, stayed in the dressing room at half-time and was replaced by Jorne Spileers at the start of the second half. That second period couldn't have started worse. Mignolet parried away a Puertas free-kick, but Fedde Leysen tapped home from close range to make it two for les Unionistes.
Nicky Hayen quickly made two substitutions: Nielsen and Vetlesen came off for Onyedika and debutant Gustaf Nilsson. That did change the face of the game as Club were now pushing forward, giving Union the opportunity to be dangerous on the break. An unmarked Kabangu at the far post could have made it three if he had sidefooted in Puertas' low cross. For Club it was Tzolis who was one of the more industrious players. He was thwarted by a last-ditch tackle by Vanhoutte inside the penalty area and a few moments later he surged into the box, went past his defender but then found Moris on his way. The goalkeeper also stopped a left-footed strike from Nilsson. At the other end, Mignolet saved two attempts from Kabangu.
Ten minutes before the end Vermant and Talbi came on and the duo were almost immediately involved in Club's goal. Vermant released Talbi who feeded the ball to Tzolis inside the area and the Greek struck home brilliantly with the outside of his right foot. Club upped the pressure, but it wasn't until deep into stoppage time when Club came close to Moris again. The Union goalkeeper clawed out Tzolis' header and was quick to react on the Greek's rebound effort.
It remained 1-2 and so no Super Cup win for Club this time, despite a decent performance from Seys and Tzolis, among others.
Pro League Super Cup
Attendance: 18,000 - Jan Breydelstadion
Referee: Bram Van Driessche
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Amine Et-Taïbi (79' Chemsdine Talbi), Brandon Mechele, Zaid Romero (46' Jorne Spileers), Joaquin Seys - Casper Nielsen (56' Raphael Onyedika), Hugo Vetlesen (56' Gustaf Nilsson), Hans Vanaken - Antonio Nusa, Ferran Jutglà (79' Romeo Vermant), Christos Tzolis. Bank: Nordin Jackers, Axl De Corte, Dedryck Boyata, Philip Zinckernagel and Siebe Wylin. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Union Saint-Gilloise: Anthony Moris - Kevin MacAllister, Koki Machida, Fedde Leysen - Alessio Castro-Montes, Charles Vanhoutte, Noah Sadiki (68' Mathias Rasmussen), Cameron Puertas (79' Amani Lazare), Henok Teklab (79' Casper Terho) - Elton Kabangu (90' Anane Khalaili), Dennis Eckert Ayensa (68' Promise David). Coach: Sébastien Pocognoli.
Yellow cards: Romero, Leysen, Vanhoutte, Sadiki, Moris, Terho.
Red cards: none
Goals: 40' Puertas (penalty, 0-1), 47' Leysen (0-2), 79' Tzolis (1-2).
