Blue-Black books a deserved 0-3 win over KV Mechelen!

After the international break, Blauw-Zwart visited KV Mechelen on match day 31 of the Jupiler Pro League. After a good quarter of an hour, Lang took Club into the lead from the spot and a few minutes later he doubled the score. After half-time, Mechele decided the game by heading the 0-3 final score against the nets. Blauw-Zwart remains on the trail of KAA Gent!

Just before the international break, Club lost by the smallest of differences on the pitch to KV Kortrijk and coach De Mil now made some changes to his starting line-up. Meijer was absent due to illness and was replaced in midfield by Onyedika. Sylla was suspended and Mechele returned to the starting line-up. The last substitution was that of Odoi. Consequently, Mata was given the confidence to start. Lang and Jutglà had to provide goals up front.

In the opening stages, both teams were still searching, but the first opportunity was for Club. Buchanan got the ball wide and the Canadian quickly put the leather in front of goal where Rits infiltrated. The latter could not frame his attempt. After 11 minutes, a much bigger opportunity fell to Club. Long with the brilliant opening for Mata and he laid back for Buchanan. Bates rushed into the path of the shot and prevented the goal. Moments later, however, it was a prize for the visitors! Nielsen went well deep and tried to put the leather in front of goal. His pass was stopped, however, but with the arm. Ref Vergoote pointed to the spot and Lang brought Club into the lead. Shortly afterwards, the Dutch winger was allowed to cheer again! He was played the ball beautifully by Rits, then brought the ball to his left and kicked the double lead into the net via the post.

Blue-Black was thus lord and master and trumped the home team in all areas in the first thirty minutes of the match. A little over the half hour mark there was a threat after Storm put the ball in front of goal. Hairemans just couldn't reach the ball and Spileers reacted alertly before Mignolet could be threatened. Around minute 40, Club was once again in danger. Jutglà went out to the left side and then came in with the ball at foot. The Spanish striker went for his own success, but his shot went a meter over Thoelen's goal. A few minutes later we noted a nice attack on the right flank in which Jutglà was again the finishing touch on a cross from Mata. The striker unfortunately could not frame his header and so we went to rest with a double lead for Blauw-Zwart....

The same 22 names started the second half and now it was KV Mechelen that created the first goal threat. Storm sought the back line and brought the ball in front of goal. There Hairemans was able to head free, but a little too softly and centrally to outsmart Mignolet. Blauw-Zwart responded almost immediately through Jutglà, but his shot from outside the sixteen was somewhat cracked and consequently went wide. Five minutes later Club had the chance for the 0-3, but both Vanaken and Jutglà (in the recovery) failed to beat Thoelen from close range. The visitors came out especially dangerous in the changeover, but Lang's attempt did not find the goal frame either. The match now went well up and down, as on the opposite side Storm made the action and his sharp cross just failed to reach a teammate. The main danger did continue to come from the Bridge goalkeepers, but Jutglà continued to be unlucky in finishing. This time his effort was blocked in extremis by Van Hecke.

A few minutes later the third goal was deserved! After a studied corner kick, Mata brought the ball well into the box and there Mechele extended the ball with his head against the nets. The game seemed to be played now, but KV Mechelen still reacted immediately to the goal. Storm came in well and then curled the ball beautifully to the far post. The attempt went narrowly wide of Mignolet's cage. This opportunity was followed by a few substitutions along both sides, giving some of Club NXT's young talents their chance. Vermant, Sabbe and Sandra all got playing minutes.

The latter was sent deep into the box in the closing minutes, but just couldn't reach the ball enough to beat Thoelen a fourth time. Blauw-Zwart's deserved victory was never in jeopardy, and so Club remains in contention for a place in the Champions' play-offs!

Jupiler Pro League - Playday 31
Spectators: 16,672 - AFAS Stadium
Referee: Jasper Vergoote
KV Mechelen: Yannick Thoelen - Dimitri Lavalée, David Bates, Boli Bolingoli (60' Rob Schoofs) - Geoffry Hairemans, Dries Wouters, Jannes Van Hecke, Alessio Da Cruz (60' Enock Agyei), Nikola Storm - Kerim Mrabti, Julien Ngoy.
Bank: Gaëtan Coucke, Iebe Swers, Rob Schoofs, Enock Agyei, Jordi Vanlerberghe, Ngal'Ayel Mukau, Bilal Bafdili.
Coach: Steven Defour.
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Clinton Mata, Brandon Mechele, Jorne Spileers - Tajon Buchanan (89' Kyriani Sabbe), Casper Nielsen (74' Cisse Sandra), Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken, Mats Rits (79' Antonio Nusa) - Noa Lang (79' Romeo Vermant), Ferran Jutglà (79' Roman Yaremchuk).
Bank: Josef Bursik, Senne Lammens, Kyriani Sabbe, Denis Odoi, Chemsdine Talbi, Cisse Sandra, Antonio Nusa, Roman Yaremchuk, Romeo Vermant.
Coach: Rik De Mil.

Yellow cards: Van Hecke, Onyedika
Red cards: none
Goals: 16' Lang (0-1), 20' Lang (0-2), 68' Mechele (0-3)