On matchday 20 of the Jupiler Pro League Club welcomed Anderlecht at the Jan Breydel Stadium. Blauw-Zwart dominated the first half, but failed to convert one of the many chances. Nielsen broke the deadlock in the second half, but an unlucky Mechele own goal sees us share the spoils after a 1-1 draw.
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Blauw-Zwart has to settle for 1-1 draw against Anderlecht
Coach Parker's second game at the helm of Club and he made four changes compared to last week's defeat at Genk. In central defence Odoi replaced the suspended Sylla, while Mata was given the nod again to play at the right-hand side. In midfield Onyedika returned from a one-match ban, up front Yaremchuk started and Jutglà was on the bench.
Driven forward by an enthusiastic crowd, Blauw-Zwart started the game lively with a first shooting opportunity after just two minutes. Onyedika created space for himself, but his left-footed strike was too tame. Ten minutes in Yaremchuk was sent through by Lang, but the Ukranian saw his effort saved by Verbruggen who had rushed out. It took ten minutes for a new chance. This time it was Lang who controlled the ball at the edge of the back and forced Verbruggen into making a diving save to tip the ball around the post. Shortly after Yaremchuk tried his luck again, but Verbruggen was equal to his low drive.
On the half-hour mark Buchanan flashed past Sardella with a smart move, but his cross was cleared into a corner kick. On that corner Vanaken rose highest, but he headed the ball into the hands of Verbruggen.
A few minutes later Club had another good chance to open the scoring, but Buchanan's effort just sailed wide. Club upped the pressure, but Yaremchuk and twice Lang couldn't get it past the Dutch goalie. Just before the half-time whistle Lang finally managed to stab home, but Yaremchuk had just strayed offside in the build-up, so no goal.
Neither coach made a change at the break and thus the second half was more of the same. Club pushed the visitors back against on their own half and created a first huge chance early on. Nielsen's low cross fell into the path of Yaremchuk, but he skied his finish. When Nielsen whipped in a free-kick in front of goal, Vanaken rose highest to meet with it but this time his header went just wide.
A few minutes later it was Nielsen who was the final pawn of a good attacking move between Yaremchuk and Mata, but the Danish midfielder scuffes his finish wide. Later, Vanaken's shot was blocked and Onyedika's rebound suffered the same fate.
After 68 minutes play, Blauw-Zwart finally had their goal. Buchanan powered through on the right-hand side before finding Nielsen in front of goal who rifled it in. Club wanted a second one, but Buchanan's aim was off. With ten minutes on the clock, out of nowhere Anderlecht pulled level when Arnstad's harmless strike took two deflection, on Odoi and Mechele, before it crossed the goalline. Coach Parker wanted to keep the three points home and made several changes.
Despite the five minutes stoppage time, Club couldn't break down Anderlecht's defence again. Despite a flurry of clear-cut chances, Club had to settle for just the one point. Next Thursday Club travels to Stayen for the confrontation with Sint-Truiden.
Jupiler Pro League – Matchday 20
Attendance: 29.042 – Jan Breydelstadion
Referee: Nathan Verboomen
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet – Clinton Mata (81’ Kamal Sowah), Brandon Mechele, Denis Odoi, Bjorn Meijer (90’ Dedryck Boyata) – Raphael Onyedika, Casper Nielsen (89’ Antonio Nusa), Hans Vanaken (c) – Tajon Buchanan, Noa Lang (90’ Mats Rits), Roman Yaremchuk (62’ Ferran Jutglà).
Bench: Nick Shinton, Senne Lammens, Eduard Sobol, Éder Balanta, Ferran Jutglà, Kamal Sowah, Mats Rits, Dedryck Boyata, Antonio Nusa.
Coach: Scott Parker.
RSC Anderlecht: Bart Verbruggen – Michael Murillo, Zeno Debast, Jan Vertonghen, Killian Sardella (60’ Moussa Ndiaye) – Amadou Diawara (60’ Adrien Trebel), Yari Verschaeren, Kristian Arnstad – Francis Amuzu, Majeed Ashimeru (90+2’ Noah Sadiki), Fábio Silva (75’ Mario Stroeykens).
Bench: Colin Coosemans, Hendrik Van Crombrugge, Moussa Ndiaye, Adrien Trebel, Noah Sadiki, Mario Stroeykens, Nilson David Angulo, Lucas Stassin.
Coach: Brian Riemer.
Yellow cards: Yaremchuk, Sardella, Arnstad, Buchanan, Murillo
Red cards: none
Goals: 68’ Nielsen (1-0), 79’ Mechele (owngoal) (1-1)