A fine start to the second round of the season for Club Brugge, beating Standard de Liège at home in what was a fine performance, seasoned with goals by Thiago and Zinckernagel.
The stunning win at Besiktas on Thursday did not keep coach Deila from making changes to his team, forced to replace Casper Nielsen in midfield (out sick) and giving the nod to Hans Vanaken after his suspension at Istanbul. In the back, Tajon Buchanan was preferred over Denis Odoi, and just like in Leuen, Ferran Jutglà started from the wing at the expense of Andreas Skov Olsen.
An excruciating start from Club saw great crosses by Zinckernagel and Buchanan neatly cleared, but three times a charm: in between two Liège defenders, Thiago headed Club's opener from a Zinckernagel cross in from close range. A dream start for Blue and Black, who kept pinning the visitors against their own goal. Vanaken tried his luck from outside the box, but the fine effort got deflected into corner kick. Another chance followed 21 minutes into the game, as Jutglà took a perfect cross by Zinckernagel in one go but the ball went on the wrong side of the post. Vanaken, in excellent form, made his way towards the back line, but his cross did not find a team mate to tap in that deserved second.
The hosts failed in asking many questions, except for one fine cross by Price that went through the Club box untouched. Club lifted the foot now, and the visitors started creeping back into the game, with a shot by Kanga eagerly clenched by Mignolet. No more chances followed, and the crowd headed inside towards rooms with higher temperatures carrying in a 1-0 half time score.
