On match day 28 of the Jupiler Pro League, Club Brugge traveled to Limburg for the topper against KRC Genk. In the first half, Blauw-Zwart took the lead through Vetlesen and in the second half Odoi and Skov Olsen were able to record the 0-3 final score. Club thus picked up a pleasing win and did an excellent job with an eye on the Champion's Play-offs!
Blue-Black was unfortunately eliminated this week in the Croky Cup and, compared to that match, some (forced) changes were made to the starting line-up by coach Deila. In goal, the injured Mignolet was replaced by Jackers. At the back, Meijer disappeared to the bench and De Cuyper moved back to the left back position. That way Odoi came into the team on the right side. In the center of midfield, Onyedika and Vetlesen gained confidence at the expense of Nielsen and Balanta. Finally, Skóraś also got to show his skills from the start and formed the attacking trio together with Skov Olsen and Jutglà. At home team KRC Genk, no changes were made compared to the starting lineup that defeated Charleroi on the previous match day.
It was the visitors from Bruges who immediately showed their attacking intentions and this resulted in a good opportunity for Skov Olsen already in the second minute. Jutglà put his body well and from the ground he was able to get the leather to Skov Olsen. The latter targeted the short corner, but the ball unfortunately went wide. Club controlled the game in the first quarter of an hour, but Genk's first real attack resulted in a penalty spot. Mechele came too late with a tackle on Bonsu Baah and Genk was awarded a penalty kick. Arokodare put himself behind the ball, but fortunately kicked the leather wide of Jackers' cage. Blue-Black consequently escaped a deficit, but responded immediately. Skov Olsen came inside and laid the ball wide for the rising Vanaken. The latter attempted to fish the far corner, but Vandevoordt went well flat.
Arokodare was the home team's most dangerous man, but could not frame his attempts. Just about halfway through the first half, the opening goal fell! Jutglà saw that Vetlesen was looking for depth and served him with a nice ball down the run. Vetlesen held off Hrosovsky well and then kicked the leather crossed past Vandevoordt. Almost immediately after this goal, Club immediately went in search of a second goal. Skóraś hunted well and snatched the ball from McKenzie to then launch Jutglà. The Catalan striker targeted the short corner, but Vandevoordt prevented the double with a clever save. The home team responded moments later via a header from Arokodare, but Jackers had little trouble with this effort. Five minutes later, Bonsu Baah also went for his chance, but again Club's goalie knew how to deal with the shot. On the stroke of half-time, Jackers distinguished himself twice in quick succession, each time with a very good save. First he floated an attempt by El Khannouss out of the corner and then he had an excellent reflex on a header from close range. So we rested with a deserved lead for Blauw-Zwart...
No changes were noted at the start of the second half and this time it was KRC Genk that claimed the ball. El Khannouss in particular was often involved in the game and created danger. First he kicked himself a long way wide of the goal and moments later he served Arokodare. The latter's shot was a little too weak and Jackers went well flat. The home team did continue to monopolize the ball, but failed to create any real goal danger. Meanwhile, Club remained well organized, but without equally forcing chances. Midway through the second half, coach Deila did bring in fresh blood with Nielsen and Meijer in place of Skóraś and Jutglà. Thus, Vanaken became the most forward pawn.
That choice paid off almost immediately when Vanaken tried with a volley. His attempt went over Vandevoordt's goal. Shortly after, though, the double lead for Club was on the board! Skov Olsen with the corner kick and Odoi timed perfectly to head the leather into the nets in the far corner. Confidence was back with the Bruges visitors and that resulted in an extra goal for Blauw-Zwart five minutes before the end of regular playing time! Meijer headed the ball against Sor's arm and after VAR intervention, ref Vergoote pointed to the spot. Skov Olsen did not hesitate and kicked the 0-3 hard and high into the goal.
Six more minutes were played, but this did not change the score. After the cup elimination, Blauw-Zwart straightened its back with a convincing win on the Genk pitch. Thursday awaits the important European confrontation against Molde!
Jupiler Pro League - Playday 28
Spectators: 23.718 - Cegeka Arena
Referee: Jasper Vergoote
KRC Genk: Maarten Vandevoordt - Zakaria El Ouahdi (79' Ken Nkuba), Carlos Cuesta, Mark McKenzie, Joris Kayembe - Patrik Hrosovsky, Bryan Heynen, Bilal El Khannouss - Christopher Bonsu Baah (70' Andi Zeqiri), Tolu Arokodare (57' Yira Sor), Luca Oyen (79' Noah Adedeji-Sternberg).
Bank: Hendrik Van Crombrugge, Mujaid Sadick, Eduard Sobol, Anouar Ait El Hadj, Konstantinos Karetsas, Matías Galarza, Ken Nkuba, Noah Adedeji-Sternberg, Andi Zeqiri, Yira Sor.
Coach: Wouter Vrancken.
Club Brugge: Nordin Jackers - Denis Odoi, Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper - Raphael Onyedika (79' Kyriani Sabbe), Hugo Vetlesen (90+1' Chemsdine Talbi), Hans Vanaken - Andreas Skov Olsen (90+1' Philip Zinckernagel), Ferran Jutglà (67' Casper Nielsen), Michał Skóraś (67' Bjorn Meijer).
Bank: Josef Bursik, Nick Shinton, Dedryck Boyata, Jorne Spileers, Bjorn Meijer, Kyriani Sabbe, Casper Nielsen, Chemsdine Talbi, Philip Zinckernagel, Victor Barberà.
Coach: Ronny Deila.
Yellow cards: McKenzie, Onyedika, Vetlesen, Zeqiri
Red cards none
Goals: 26' Vetlesen (0-1), 73' Odoi (0-2), 85' Skov Olsen (0-3)
