On matchday 14 of the Jupiler Pro League, Club Brugge travelled to the Lotto Park for the classic encounter with RSC Anderlecht. The home side took an early lead following an unfortunate own goal from Mechele, and that remained the score at half-time. Late in the game, Club had a golden opportunity to level things up, but ultimately the match ended 1-0.
Blauw-Zwart started this game off the back of one of those memorable European nights on Wednesday, claiming a point after a thrilling draw with FC Barcelona. Head coach Nicky Hayen therefore had little reason to make changes to his starting eleven, and he stuck with almost the same side. The only adjustment came in attack, where Vermant was given the nod from the start, with Tresoldi taking a place on the bench. For the hosts, there were no changes, as they fielded the same eleven that defeated KV Mechelen the previous weekend.
The first threat arrived almost immediately, as Anderlecht came close to opening the scoring in the very first minute. A cross from Augustinsson deflected off Seys and fell to Bertaccini, who wasted no time in turning and firing towards goal. Fortunately, his effort went just wide of Jackers’ post. Five minutes later, the hosts did find the breakthrough: De Cat sent Hazard in behind, and his sharp delivery across goal was turned in accidentally by Mechele in front of Cvetković.
Just before the quarter-hour mark, the visitors suffered another setback when Sabbe was forced off injured and replaced early by Siquet. Moments later, Anderlecht threatened again through Camara, who pulled the ball back for the arriving De Cat. His strike was deflected behind for a corner by Seys. Shortly afterwards, Club finally showed a response when Vermant’s clever backheel released Tzolis. The Greek winger surged forward and struck with his left foot, but Coosemans was untroubled as the ball flew over the bar.
Midway through the first half, Anderlecht continued to look dangerous. First, Saliba missed the target from the edge of the box, and soon after Angulo was played in behind. He cut the ball back perfectly for De Cat, but the midfielder could not keep his shot down and sent it over Jackers’ goal. Around the half-hour mark, Club began to take more of the initiative, but could not create clear chances beyond a header from Vermant that went over. Anderlecht replied through another attempt from De Cat, though his long-range shot also failed to trouble the goalkeeper. The young midfielder kept trying his luck, but even a deflected free-kick could not beat Jackers.
The best opportunity for Blauw-Zwart came in stoppage time when Tzolis powered through and fired a left-footed strike at the near post, only for Coosemans to react sharply and deny the equaliser. Moments later, the Anderlecht goalkeeper was called into action again by another Tzolis effort, though this time he gathered more comfortably. The sides went into the break with Club trailing 1-0.
No substitutions were made at half-time, and the second half began almost identically to the first. Within the opening minute, Anderlecht intercepted the ball and Hazard advanced into the box before shooting from distance, sending his effort wide. The visitors quickly responded five minutes later, when Ordóñez met a Vanaken corner with his head, but the ball went narrowly past Coosemans’ post. Soon after, Club were fortunate not to fall further behind when Hey lofted a pass into the area for Bertaccini, who went one-on-one with Jackers. The Club goalkeeper stood tall and kept his side in the game.
Just before the hour, the same two players were involved again, with the same outcome. Bertaccini tried his luck with a first-time strike from distance, but Jackers saved well. Coach Hayen then opted for a double substitution, introducing Tresoldi and Diakhon in place of Vermant and Forbs. Initially, this brought little improvement, as the home side continued to look the more dangerous. Bertaccini again weaved his way through the defence and went clean through on goal, but Jackers produced an excellent save with his foot to prevent further damage. Midway through the half, Augustinsson also tried his luck from range, but his powerful strike went wide of Jackers’ goal.
Blauw-Zwart found it difficult to create clear openings, and apart from an unthreatening header from Mechele on a Seys cross, chances were few and far between. As full-time approached, Club began to push forward and created a huge opportunity to equalise. Ordóñez drilled the ball low into the box, where Mechele appeared in space, but his close-range effort was too central and Coosemans managed to keep it out. Almost immediately at the other end, Cvetković found himself through on goal, but Jackers reacted superbly once more. The striker was flagged off regardless. In the 90th minute, Hazard broke through again and crossed towards Llansana, whose effort fortunately went wide.
Four minutes of additional time were played, but the score remained unchanged. Club Brugge were narrowly beaten by Anderlecht and head into the international break disappointed, yet with plenty of positives to build on after a battling display decided by the finest of margins.
Jupiler Pro League - Matchday 14
Attendance: 21.500 - Lotto Park
Referee: Erik Lambrechts
RSC Anderlecht: Colin Coosemans - Ilay Camara (70' Killian Sardella), Lucas Hey, Marco Kana, Ludwig Augustinsson - Nathan De Cat (87' Tristan Degreef), Nathan-Dylan Saliba (70' Enric Llansana), Thorgan Hazard - Adriano Bertaccini (75' Mario Stroeykens), Mihajlo Cvetković (87' Moussa N'Diaye), Nilson Angulo.
Bench: Mads Kikkenborg, Moussa N'Diaye, Killian Sardella, Ali Maamar, Yari Verschaeren, Enric Llansana, Mario Stroeykens, Tristan Degreef, Luis Vázquez, Ibrahim Kanaté.
Coach: Besnik Hasi.
Club Brugge: Nordin Jackers - Kyriani Sabbe (15' Hugo Siquet), Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Joaquin Seys - Raphael Onyedika, Aleksandar Stanković (87' Hugo Vetlesen), Hans Vanaken - Carlos Forbs (60' Mamadou Diakhon), Romeo Vermant (60' Nicolò Tresoldi), Christos Tzolis (87' Shandre Campbell).
Bench: Dani van den Heuvel, Argus Vanden Driessche, Zaid Romero, Hugo Siquet, Jorne Spileers, Cisse Sandra, Hugo Vetlesen, Shandre Campbell, Mamadou Diakhon, Nicolò Tresoldi, Kaye Furo.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Yellow cards: Tzolis, Siquet, Hey, Ordóñez, Bertaccini, Stroeykens, Cvetković, Hazard, Onyedika
Red cards: none
Goal: 6' Mechele (OG) (1-0)