In a dominant performance, Club Brugge managed to set aside Anderlecht 2-1. An early goal by Romeo Vermant helped Club underway, and with fifteen minutes on the clock Chemsdine Talbi added a second goal to make it a more reassuring lead, but Simić managed to claim one back for Anderlecht. Club held on, however, claiming the three points after what had been a very confident team performance.
Two changes to the team that had done so well at Milan during the week: Andreas Skov Olsen and Romeo Vermant manned the pitch at the expense of Chemsdine Talbi and Ferran Jutglà. The first real threat in the game came two minutes on, as Dreyer tried from close range but fumbled it wide of target. That was it for the visitors in the first half, as Club took over and did not let go of its prey for the remainder of the first half. Just eight minutes in, this resulted in the opener, as Tzolis found Simić at fault in the back to find Romeo Vermant eye-to-eye with Coosemans. The young forward did not hesitate, neatly slicing it in for Club.
A dream goal for the striker, and a dream start for Club, now really pushing on to put some distance between the two teams. Coosemans was further called upon to tap away Tzolis' hard shot from just below the crossbar, and to deny De Cuyper's cross from proving dangerous. As Club kept piling on the pressure, the hosts create chance upon chance: Jashari's shot from a great distance whizzed just over, and Coosemans again had some fine saves in store upon attempts by Tzolis and Skov Olsen, and was happy to see Vanaken's header end up above target.
Another waning chance went missing as Vermant's header upon a brilliant De Cuyper cross went over. Anderlecht proved harmless, unable to unsettle Club's sturdy defense, and thanked Coosemans to keep the team from further damage as this time Onyedika's shot heading for goal was pawed into corner kick.
The second half saw Club marching on, and just minutes into it, the crowd cheered again as Tzolis tapped in a Skov Olsen cross from close range, but VAR decided differently to keep it at 1-0. Another Vanaken header again went just wide of the goal mound, and Skov Olsen proved unable to frame his attemt. The visitors finally created an opportunity too, but Mignolet proved the better of a Stroeykens shot from inside the box.
The lead was still tight, and Club had to watch out for That One Opportunity, so the hosts decided to push the pedal to the metal even more. A neat combination brought Skov Olsen in shooting position, but it was too central, while a bit later Onyedika's shot went wide, and Jashari's deflected shot also missed target. With just fifteen minutes on the clock, a sigh of relief went through the Club audience: fierce defending helped Vanaken to the ball, launching Talbi on the right hand side, and the Club youth product cleverly put it past the reach of Coosemans as he left his goal, easily tapping in a thoroughly deserved double lead.
Still no improvement on Anderlecht's side, as Talbi's cross sailed over, and Vermant's shot from just outside the box went over. A bit later Jutglà also tried his luck, but gain it went wide. As Jan-Carlo Simić headed in the 2-1 with two minutes on the clock, tension was now restored to the game, with Anderlecht pulling all the plugs to try and score that equaliser, leaving room for Club to lure on the break. An excellent counter attack went from foot to foot, finding Skóraś in front of goal, but the winger could not make the most of this excellent opportunity. Well into injury time, Club went through a tight spot twice: a random ball seemed to go each and everyone but was cleared in the nick of time by De Cuyper, and moments later the ball was headed by Jörgensen who missed from very close range. Justice prevailed, however, keeping the three points at Jan Breydel.
Jupiler Pro League – Match Day 12
Audience: 29,000 – Jan Breydel Stadium
Ref: Mr. Jasper Vergoote
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet – Joaquin Seys (69’ Kyriani Sabbe), Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper – Raphael Onyedika, Ardon Jashari (95’ Jorne Spileers), Hans Vanaken – Andreas Skov Olsen (69’ Chemsdine Talbi), Romeo Vermant (80’ Ferran Jutglà), Christos Tzolis (80’ Michał Skóraś).
Bench: Nordin Jackers, Dani van den Heuvel, Zaid Romero, Hugo Vetlesen, Casper Nielsen en Gustaf Nilsson. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
RSC Anderlecht: Colin Coosemans – Killian Sardella, Jan-Carlo Simić, Leander Dendoncker, Moussa N’Diaye (91’ Mathias Jörgensen) - Mats Rits, Theo Leoni (57’ Majeed Ashimeru) , Yari Verschaeren (57’ Francis Amuzu) – Anders Dreyer, Kaper Dolberg (68’ Luis Vazquez), Mario Stroeykens (68’ Samuel Edozie). Coach: David Hubert.
Yellow: Leoni, Dendoncker, Dolberg.
Red: none
Goals: 8’ Vermant (1-0), 76’ Talbi (2-0), 88’ Simić (2-1).