2024 has now truly taken off in style, after Club Brugge now also won its first home game of the year, sending off Westerlo 3-0 after a brace by Igor Thiago, and Antonio Nusa calling it a day just before full time.
One change to the team that had cruised past AA Gent in the Cup Quarter Finals on Tuesday: Philip Zinckernagel reclaimed his spot on the left at the expense of Antonio Nusa. Eager to hit the ground running, the hosts grabbed the visitors by the throat: Thiago saw his shot blocked, a Meijer cross floated past Thiago, and a long range shot by Vetlesen drifted just wide.
Club kept asking the Westel defense questions, and a first real threat came after fifteen minutes of play: Thiago with the interception to find Zinckernagel who put his compatriot Skov Olsen through on the right, but trying to take it to his left, Skov Olsen was trumped by his defender. Just moments later another excellent chance followed, this time with Nielsen producing an excellent cross from the right hand wing to find Thiago in front of goal, beautifully heading it towards goal, but meeting with the post. Soon after, goalkeeper Bolat was again called upon to deny De Cuyper from afar.
Not that the visitors were chanceless, however, as they also had a short flurry after thirty minutes. A low cross by Reynolds was somehow denied by De Cuyper, and a bit later Madsen had the time and the space to curl it neatly, but his effort ended at the wrong side of the post. Alarm bells started chiming, and the hosts reacted well: Vanaken spotted Nielsen inside the box with a neat through-ball, end eht ball ended up with Zinckernage, who found Thiago in front of goal to slide in the opener from close range. Another fine Meijer cross was cleared by Rommens just before half time, making it 1-0 as the two teams headed for the dressing rooms.
The second half saw a dominant Club, with Westerlo unable to escape the hosts' firm hold. The goal was some time in the making, however. First, a scrimmage involving Zinckernagel and Skov Olsen, and after that Thiago and Vanaken, did not result in Club's second, and a bit later Bolat stood ground as he saved a De Cuyper shot, and a firm header by Thiago.
Twenty minutes played, however, that deserved second Club goal finally came. A hand ball inside the box resulted in a spot kick, with an excellent chance for Thiago to make it two for him. Bolat got more than a hand to the ball, however, but the leather somehow scrambled pas the goal line anyway. With ten minutes to go, the result was put beyond doubt by Antonio Nusa, tapping in a fine action by Hans Vanaken, lobbing Bolat after an excellent De Cuyper high ball.
With five minutes on the clock, two substitutes combined to make it 4-0, only to see it cancelled out due to off-side. In injury time, Westel's Arthur Piedfort saw a second booking, a harsh decision bringing his team down to ten. The remaining playing time saw two more saves by Bolat to deny Jutglà's header, and Skóraś' shot. The win allows Club to piggyback Genk, stuck at a draw against Cercle, to fourth place.
Jupiler Pro League – Match Day 21
Audience: 24,000 – Jan Breydel Stadium
Ref: Mr. Nicolas Laforge
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet – Maxim De Cuyper (83’ Kyriani Sabbe), Jorne Spileers, Brandon Mechele, Bjorn Meijer – Hugo Vetlesen, Casper Nielsen (75’ Éder Balanta), Hans Vanaken – Andreas Skov Olsen (83’ Michał Skóraś), Igor Thiago (83’ Ferran Jutglà), Philip Zinckernagel (75’ Antonio Nusa). Bank: Nordin Jackers, Axl De Corte, Victor Barbera en Dedryck Boyata. Coach: Ronny Deila.
KVC Westerlo: Sinan Bolat – Bryan Reynolds, Roman Neustädter, Emin Bayram, Tuur Rommens (72’ Ravil Tagir) – Griffin Yow (72’ Mathias Fixelles), Sergiy Sydorchuk, Arthur Piedfort, Nicolas Madsen, Thomas Van den Keybus – Erdon Daci (72’ Nacer Chadli). Coach: Rik De Mil
Yellow: Van den Keybus, Bolat.
Red: 91' Piedfort (2x geel).
Goals: 37’ Thiago (1-0), 65’ Thiago (penalty, 2-0), 80’ Nusa (3-0).
