On the second playing day of the Jupiler Pro League, Blauw-Zwart went to 't Kuipje to take on KVC Westerlo. Club played a very strong first half and took the lead through Thiago. In the second half no more goals were scored and so the first deserved three points of the season was a fact!
After Thursday's European qualifier against AGF Aarhus, coach Deila tinkered with his starting line-up on two positions for the trip to 't Kuipje. De Cuyper was suspended and consequently could not be used against the team where he was active last season. He was replaced by the young Sabbe. In addition, Vetlesen also scored his first starting berth in the Jupiler Pro League and as a result, Rits disappeared to the bench.
It was Club that started the match best and ei so after we immediately got to see a world goal. Skov Olsen brought the ball in front of goal and there, with his back to goal, Thiago tried a slash. The leather sailed not so far past the post, but Blue-Black's attacking intentions were immediately clear. The visitors continued to demand the ball and just before the quarter hour mark, Vanaken tried his luck on the edge of the box. His attempt was a little too central, so Bolat didn't have too many problems with it all in all. This was also the signal for the home team to show themselves for once. Reynolds went through on the right and put the ball in front of goal, but Van den Keybus could not reach the ball sufficiently to become dangerous. Five minutes later, Neustädter was able to head towards goal from a corner kick, but the ball fortunately went wide of the post.
Halfway through the first half, Club had the biggest chance of the game. Spileers sent a nice long ball into the path of Nusa, and the latter was able to put the ball aside for Thiago at the right moment. Instead of deviating immediately, the Brazilian striker tried to control the ball and it unfortunately went wide. A few minutes later, Bolat had to show his skills twice. Skov Olsen rushed past his opponent and put the ball well in front of goal. Vanaken was able to head from close range, but Bolat had an excellent reflex. In the action that followed, Westerlo's goalie also distinguished himself on an attempt by Nusa. Meanwhile, the chances kept piling up, as on the hafluur it was Vetlesen's turn. Sabbe got the ball deep and put low in front of goal, where Thiago laid the ball off for Vetlesen. The latter didn't really come out with his passes, and put the ball wide of the goal. Two minutes later Vanaken poked the ball nicely deep for Nusa, but the Norwegian winger also failed to score and kicked into the side netting with his left. Consequently, a goal was in the air...and it came! Vanaken sent Thiago into the lane and the Brazilian remained calm this time. He bypassed Bolat to then put the deserved lead on the board. Blauw-Zwart continued its attacking momentum, but was also unlucky in terms of finishing. Thiago used a beautiful heel to put Skov Olsen alone in front of Bolat, but the Dane hit the bar hard. A dominant Club thus rested with a deserved lead ...
The second half started with the same 22 tenors and this time it was Westerlo that got off to the best start. Madsen infiltrated well and was able to kick towards goal from just outside the sixteen. The ball was half blocked by Mechele and went just wide of Mignolet's cage. Club reacted almost immediately through Nusa who brought the ball sharply in front of goal. Thiago stood well, but still decided on Bolat in extremis. The Bruges players thus quickly took back command, but Vetlesen's shot was deflected into a corner kick. A little after the hour, Club showed again, but Vanaken headed Nusa's cross straight into Bolat's hands. The visitors continued to combine well through Vetlesen, among others, who recovered the ball via a heel from Thiago, but his shot was boxed away by Bolat.
At minute 70, Club got a corner kick on which Bolat had to release the ball. Thiago was able to take advantage of ei after, but was whistled off for alleged hand play. Of course, it still remained only 0-1 and so it remained watchful for a ball that fell well for Westerlo. Vaesen tried it once with a free kick and on it Mignolet had to show all his skills to float the ball out of the top corner. That turned out to be the signal for the home team to go full on the attack. Mebude dribbled past Sabbe and then took a hard shot from an acute angle. Once again, Mignolet was on hand to keep the leather out of his goal. A few minutes later it was Van den Keybus' turn to strike out, but fortunately Spileers was in the way. This forced Coach Deila to make two defensive substitutions, bringing in both Ordóñez and Odoi.
Club regained some balance and had the biggest chance to decide the match. Nusa put his body well and could only go for Bolat. The Norwegian kicked well, but the bar again prevented a second goal. The deserved victory for Blauw-Zwart was no longer in jeopardy and Club booked its first three points of the season!
Jupiler Pro League - Playday 2
Spectators: 8.035 - 't Kuipje
Referee: Jan Boterberg
KVC Westerlo: Sinan Bolat - Bryan Reynolds (84' Edisson Jordanov), Roman Neustädter, Ravil Tagir, Jordan Bos - Thomas Van den Keybus, Mathias Fixelles (84' Muhammed Gümüskaya), Nicolas Madsen, Yusuke Matsuo (72' Lucas Stassin) - Erdon Daci (58' Adedire Mebude), Matija Frigan (72' Kyan Vaesen).
Bank: Nick Gillekens, Edisson Jordanov, Pietro Perdichizzi, Arthur Piedfort, Muhammed Gümüskaya, Adedire Mebude, Kyan Vaesen, Lucas Stassin.
Coach: Jonas De Roeck.
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Tajon Buchanan, Brandon Mechele, Jorne Spileers, Kyriani Sabbe (85' Denis Odoi) - Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken, Hugo Vetlesen (72' Mats Rits) - Andreas Skov Olsen (85' Joel Ordóñez), Igor Thiago (72' Roman Yaremchuk), Antonio Nusa (90+2' Casper Nielsen).
Bench: Nick Shinton, Nordin Jackers, Joel Ordóñez, Casper Nielsen, Denis Odoi, Mats Rits, Michal Skóras, Roman Yaremchuk.
Coach: Ronny Deila.
Yellow cards: Van den Keybus
Red cards: none
Goals: 36' Thiago (0-1)