Club Brugge recorded a big 3-0 victory against Antwerp on their own field. On the stroke of half-time, Onyedika gave Blauw-Zwart the lead and after the break Skóraś and Zinckernagel took care of the final decision. Thanks to this win, Club is provisionally approaching to within two points of the leading duo.
Compared to Thursday's game against PAOK Saloniki, Bruges' starting line-up underwent three changes. At the back, Joel Ordóñez and Bjorn Meijer replaced Jorne Spileers and Kyriani Sabbe, while up front Antonio Nusa was preferred to Ferran Jutglà.
The visitors claiming the most ball possession in the opening stages, it was Club that played the first chances together after ten minutes. Ordóñez was able to head a well-taken corner kick from Skóraś towards goal, but the leather went wide via teammate Onyedika. Moments later, a deflected shot by Nusa also went wide, while Onyedika headed a Skóraś cross wide. To boot, ex-Club goalkeeper Senne Lammens saved well on a hard shot by Nusa and a free kick by Vanaken.
The only danger the visitors were able to create in return was a cross from Ekkelenkamp and a return ball that was cleared by Jackers just in front of Balikwisha. After that things fell silent for a while, but with half-time approaching, the hosts tried to push on: a shot by Nusa was blocked by Van Den Bosch and Wijndal did the same when De Cuyper took a cross from Nusa on the slipper in one go. Just as a goalless half time score seemed the only possible option, Club struck: after a free kick by De Cuyper the ball ended up in a scrimmage with Onyedika, who kicked in the 1-0 with his left.
After the break, Antwerp tried to go in search of the equalizer, but got no further than a shot by Ekkelenkamp that was blocked by Mechele and a header by Janssen easily caught by Jackers. Club itself picked up in between with good action, but Skóraś could not reach Nusa for goal. On the hour, however, Club added a second: Meijer passed the ball in front of goal finding Michał Skóraś by the far post to neatly brush in the ball.
That double lead seemed to take the breath away of Antwerp, which was no longer able to put Club in trouble. Blauw-Zwart controlled the game and had a few more chances to further its lead. A shot by Thiago from an acute angle went over goal and a one-time cross by substitute Jutglà was deflected by Van Den Bosch. Antwerp got no further than shots from Ilenikhena and De Laet. Late in injury time, the 3-0 finally came, as Jutglà served Philip Zinckernagel, smashing the ball into the net. Thanks to this victory, Club Brugge is now within two points of the leading duo Union and Anderlecht, who face each other tonight.
Jupiler Pro League - Champions' Play-offs: Match day 3
Audience: 27,000 - Jan Breydel Stadium
Referee: Bram Van Driessche
Club Brugge: Nordin Jackers - Maxim De Cuyper (89' Kyriani Sabbe), Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Bjorn Meijer- Hugo Vetlesen (68' Éder Balanta), Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken - Michał Skóraś (68' Ferran Jutglà), Igor Thiago, Antonio Nusa (80' Philip Zinckernagel). Bench: Joe Bursik, Nick Shinton, Dedryck Boyata, Shion Homma and Chemsdine Talbi. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Royal Antwerp FC: Senne Lammens - Jelle Bataille (68' Ritchie De Laet), Zeno Van Den Bosch, Toby Alderweireld, Owen Wijndal - Alhassan Yusuf (82' Antonio Valencia), Mandela Keita, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp (68' George Ilenikhena) - Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Vincent Janssen, Chidera Ejuke (68' Jacob Ondrejka). Coach: Mark van Bommel.
Yellow: Thiago, Onyedika, Van Den Bosch, Balikwisha.
Red: none
Goals: 44' Onyedika (1-0), 60' Skóraś (2-0), 96' Zinckernagel (3-0).
