On match day 11 of the Jupiler Pro League, Club Brugge traveled to Het Kuipje to take on KVC Westerlo. Blauw-Zwart took an early lead after a goal by Spileers and halfway through the first half Vanaken doubled the score. Shortly before halftime, the home team got back into the game after a penalty kick goal by Sayyadmanesh, but this also turned out to be the final score in the end. Club picks up an important win and can go to San Siro for a game against AC Milan with confidence!
Club entered the international break with a draw at home against Union. Compared to this game, coach Hayen made some changes in his starting line-up. In defense, Romero had to make way for Spileers and in midfield Onyedika gained confidence at the expense of Vetlesen. The last two changes took place in the offensive compartment, as the coach put his trust in Talbi, Vermant and Tzolis. Thus, Skóraś and Jutglà disappeared to the bench. Skov Olsen and Nilsson had some calf trouble and were not in the selection. At Westerlo, the most striking name was along the sidelines, as Timmy Simons took on 'his' Club Brugge.
Both teams were somewhat watching the cat out of the tree in the first few minutes, but the first chance of the game was an instant goal! Spileers was able to push up a bit with the ball at foot and then went for his chance from distance. Bolat completely misjudged the blast and so Blauw-Zwart had grabbed an early lead. The home team was not immediately beaten, because almost immediately after the opening goal Westerlo had the opportunity to equalize. Onyedika lost the ball, but fortunately Mignolet was on hand to stop Frigan's attempt. Moments later, Club again suffered unnecessary ball loss, allowing Mebude to advance. Eventually the leather got to Sayyadmanesh, but he decided wide of the goal. The latter was again close to a goal a few minutes later after a nice dribble, but this time the post and then De Cuyper prevented the equalizer for the home team. The visitors did suffer a lot of ball loss, but even Frigan could not take advantage and kicked wide. It took a while before Bruges was able to threaten again, but just after the quarter-hour mark, Tzolis put Bolat to the test. From a sharp angle, the Greek winger lashed in, but the Westerlo goalie turned the ball into a corner.
Westerlo lacked efficiency and Club took advantage of that halfway through the first half. Vanaken had time and space to advance with the ball at his feet and that way the captain could double the score from close range with his left! On the half hour Tzolis also went for his chance from an acute angle, but his slide did not immediately pose a problem for Bolat. The Bruges visitors were in complete control of the match at this stage, as five minutes later the Westel goalkeeper had to intervene again by diving into Talbi's feet. All the home team could do in return was an attempt by Mebude straight at Mignolet. Yet the home team got back into the match shortly before halftime. Onyedika played back too short on Mignolet and the Bruges goalkeeper therefore had to pull the emergency brake on Frigan. Ref Laforge did not hesitate and decisively pointed to the spot and Sayyedmanesh converted the eleven-meter flawlessly. In the added time we noted another threat from Westerlo, but this time Mignolet was able to tap Vuskovic's blast over the crossbar. The final chord of the first half was for the visitors, where De Cuyper found Vermant with a low cross. He did not get past Bolat from close range and then went down after contact with the goalkeeper. In the end, no penalty was awarded and so we went to rest with a small lead for Blauw-Zwart....
The second half started with the same 22 main players and it was Westerlo that claimed the ball immediately, but admittedly without being dangerous. Instead, the first threat came from Club with Vermant cleverly extending with his head for De Cuyper. The left back in turn found Tzolis, but the Greek was unable to get the ball past Bolat from close range. This also proved to be the only danger in the first quarter of the second half. Blauw-Zwart had the match under control in this phase and the home team did not manage to get near Mignolet. Just after the hour, however, Club's goalkeeper had to watch his back, when a deviated cross almost flew over him. Fortunately, the goalie reacted alertly to clear the ball before the line. A few minutes later, coach Hayen thought it was time to intervene with a double substitution and so Skóraś and Jutglà entered the field.
The Catalan striker immediately tried to show himself with a shot from just outside the box, but his effort did not find the frame. At minute 75, it was up to the other substitute to go for his chance. However, Skóraś slipped just as he was kicking at goal, so Bolat had no problem with it. Little goal threat came from Westerlo until then, but that changed. A free kick came to Rommens and he was able to strike across. Mignolet was outsmarted, but fortunately De Cuyper acted as a saving angel to clear the equalizer before the line. Shortly before the end of regular playing time, Alcócer tried his luck from distance, but Mignolet was not outsmarted by the blast.
Four more minutes were added and the home team had to continue with ten after a second yellow card for Bayram. The score remained unchanged and Blauw-Zwart took an important win. On Tuesday they will face AC Milan in San Siro!
Jupiler Pro League - Matchday 11
Spectators: 8,035 - Het Kuipje
Referee: Nicolas Laforge
KVC Westerlo: Sinan Bolat - Tuur Rommens, Emin Bayram, Luka Vuskovic, Jordan Bos (58' Edisson Jordanov) - Doğucan Haspolat, Arthur Piedfort (72' Thomas Van den Keybus), Alfie Devine - Adedire Mebude, Matija Frigan (72' Josimar Alcócer), Allahyar Sayyadmanesh.
Bench: Nick Gillekens, Emir Ortakaya, Muhammed Gümüşkaya, Sergiy Sydorchuk, Rubin Seigers, Edisson Jordanov, Roman Neustädter, Thomas Van den Keybus, Josimar Alcócer.
Coach: Timmy Simons.
ClubBrugge: Simon Mignolet - Joaquin Seys, Brandon Mechele, Jorne Spileers, Maxim De Cuyper (90+2' Kyriani Sabbe) - Raphael Onyedika (82' Hugo Vetlesen), Ardon Jashari, Hans Vanaken - Chemsdine Talbi (90+2' Joel Ordóñez), Romeo Vermant (65' Ferran Jutglà), Christos Tzolis (65' Michał Skóraś).
Bench: Nordin Jackers, Axl De Corte, Zaid Romero, Joel Ordóñez, Kyriani Sabbe, Hugo Vetlesen, Casper Nielsen, Ferran Jutglà, Michał Skóraś, Kaye Furo.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Yellow cards: Mignolet, Bayram, Piedfort, Rommens, Sayyadmanesh
Red cards: Bayram (2x yellow)
Goals: 4' Spileers (0-1), 24' Vanaken (0-2), 41' Sayyadmanesh (1-2, pen)