Jupiler Pro League's matchday 27 had plenty of good stuff on the menu, among which the heralded Battle of Flanders between Club Brugge and KAA Gent. An intense first half saw no goals, but Meijer managed to break the deadlock close to the final whistle with a timely header. In injury time, Vanaken put the result beyond doubt from the spot.
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Battle of Flanders comes with a gratifying and deserved win
Coach Scott Parker was very harsh for his team after the draw in the city derby against Cercle Brugge, and made a number of changes in the team that was to taken a Gent side looking to take over Club's spot in the Champions' Play-Offs. In defense Mata and Mechele reclaimed their space at the exepense of Odoi and Sylla. Another returnee was Sowah, joining Lang and Jutglà up front.
Two fine opportunities were the result of an offensive first few minutes for Blue and Black, with Buchanan first coming inside and firing towards the far post to see it punched away just in time by Nardi. Minutes later, a Vanaken cross went for the second post, and again the visiting goalie was called upon. Club kept steaming forward, and again Vanaken was the one asking the Gent defense questions with a fine header, but his effort was cleared from the goal line. KAA Gent reacted through a long range attempt by Torunarigha, eagerly neutralised by Mignolet. Both sides had another go before the first fifteen minutes were even over. Orban's shot headed straight in the hands of Mignolet, and Nardi had another fine reflex in store to deny Jutglà from close range. The hosts were starting to leave their more defensive stance, resulting in a fine opportunity for Fofana, who, after some fine passing within the Club box, aimed for goal, but saw his effort deviated over by a focused Nielsen. Minutes later, De Sart saw his attempt go wide.
With Club unable to maintain the same pressure, KAA Gent started heading for Mignolet's goal too. Okumu had something wonderful in mind as he saw Mignolet away from his goal, but his far lob from about 40 meters was unable to distress the Club goalie. A fine Lang dribble set the forward up for a shot, but Nardi had a dapper save upon the Dutchman's shot from just outside te box. What followed was a lot of duelling and intensity, not leading to any clear danger. Other than a header by Vanaken going just over, and a blocked shot by Buchanan, Club was unable to create any further breakdown in the Gent foundations.
Just like it did in the first half, Club started out with an excellent chance. Mata made his way on the right wing and produced a great cross to find Jutglà, open for a fine header, unfortunately going wide of target. The hosts kept piling on the pressure this time, and Jutglà was again set up, this time by Buchanan, but the Spanish forward was unable to get a solid touch to the ball, and moments later, his long range effort was deviated into corner kick. Club's dominance was not translated on the score board, and a bit later, Sowah was also unable to open up the game for Club, misaiming his effort after a fine Lang cross.
Club was not taken aback, however, and kept looking for that liberating goal. In minute 74, Mata once again succeeded in what he's so good at: reaching that goal line and producing a perfect cross. This time Meijer's timely header went off the crossbar behind the goal line, rewarding Mata's great work and helping a sigh of relief emanate from the Club Brugge grounds. Club finally had its lead, and lifted the foot from the throttle, but the visitors were unable to make something from the freed strangle hold. Both coaches lined up some fresh blood, and it looked like a 1-0 would be the final score, but well into injury time, Yaremchuk, just on, was brought down inside the box. A long VAR interruption finally made ref Lambrechts point toward the spot, where Vanaken neatly slammed in Club's second, deciding the tie in the 8K side's favour.
A home win that keeps Club firmly in fourth place, it was all the audience at Jan Breydel had hoped for. Next Friday, KV Ostend is the next challenger for Club.
Jupiler Pro League – Matchday 27
Attendance: 29,042 – Jan Breydel Stadium
Referee: Erik Lambrechts
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet – Clinton Mata, Jack Hendry (24’ Abakar Sylla), Brandon Mechele, Bjorn Meijer – Casper Nielsen, Kamal Sowah (90+6’ Antonio Nusa), Hans Vanaken - Tajon Buchanan, Ferran Jutglà (85’ Roman Yaremchuk), Noa Lang (85’ Mats Rits).
Bench: Josef Bursik, Nick Shinton, Denis Odoi, Dedryck Boyata, Abakar Sylla, Mats Rits, Cisse Sandra, Antonio Nusa, Roman Yaremchuk.
Coach: Scott Parker.
KAA Gent: Paul Nardi – Joseph Okumu (46’ Brian Emo Agbor), Michael Ngadeu, Jordan Torunarigha – Malick Fofana (78’ Laurent Depoitre), Sven Kums, Julien de Sart, Hyun-seok Hong (78’ Matisse Samoise), Núrio Fortuna (87’ Cederick Van Daele) – Gift Emmanuel Orban, Hugo Cuypers (87’ Jens Petter Hauge).
Bench: Davy Roef, Jens Petter Hauge, Matisse Samoise, Rune Van Den Bergh, Laurent Depoitre, Cederick Van Daele, Brian Emo Agbor.
Coach: Hein Vanhaezebrouck.
Yellow cards: Mata, Sylla
Red cards: none
Goals: 73’ Meijer (1-0), 90+3’ Vanaken (2-0)