On matchday 4 of the Champions' Playoffs, Club Brugge headed to the Dudenpark for a confrontation with Union SG. In the first half, both teams kept each other in balance, but in the second half it was Club that took the lead through Vetlesen. Club then had to continue with 10 after a second yellow card for Vetlesen, but did double the score after a header goal by Meijer. Union got no further than a nifty tying goal from Puertas and so Club completely mixed up in the title race!
Blauw-Zwart had a historic evening on Thursday by qualifying for the semifinals of the UEFA Europa Conference League at the expense of PAOK. However, another topper soon awaited in the patriotic competition on the Union field and for this confrontation interim coach Hayen had to shuffle things around again. The most notable absentee was Onyedika, who was suspended. As a result, Balanta moved up a row and the central defense opted for the duo Spileers and Mechele. The last change occurred in the offensive compartment where Thiago reinstated his place in the point at the expense of Jutglà.
It was the home side that immediately put pressure forward, which led to a great opportunity in the opening minutes. Castro-Montes tried to dribble through the defense in the box, but that way the ball ended up at the feet of Nilsson, who was able to strike from close range. Fortunately, the Swede could not keep the leather low enough to frame his shot. Soon after, it was the turn of Puertas who tried from an acute angle, but this time Jackers was standing tall to prevent an early counter goal. After Union's blitz start, Club was gradually able to restore the balance, though, and after 10 minutes the Bridge Kings were able to threaten for the first time. Sabbe smashed the ball into the pa ken there Vetlesen was able to deviate the leather with his head, but his effort went wide of the goal. The home team's reaction did not last long, however, as shortly before the quarter-hour mark the ball was put in front of goal and Nilsson was able to hit the ball with his head. This allowed Puertas to take a single shot and his shot landed just over Jackers' cage.
'Intensity' remained the key word though and there were many tough duels fought. Just before the half hour mark there was a threat when Amoura pushed forward at speed, but luckily Mechele was just able to deviate his pass and this allowed Jackers to easily pick up the ball. Five minutes later, the visitors had an excellent opportunity to take the lead. Vetlesen played the ball well into the sixteen for the infiltrating Nusa. The latter had the chance to head the 0-1 on the scoreboard, but the Norwegian unfortunately missed the leather. A few minutes later the Norwegian winger was allowed to try again from close range, but this time he kicked high over Moris' goal. Twice there might have been more in it for Blauw-Zwart, but the efficiency was not there yet. Club did come on more and more and Sabbe also took his chance from distance. The youngster kept his shot well low, but Machida put the ball into a corner. From there captain Vanaken was able to head, but again not inside the goal frame. Shortly before halftime, the Brusselers did come on and were dangerous twice in short order. First a shot by Amoura was fortunately deflected by Spileers and shortly afterwards Jackers had to pull out all the stops to sweep a Lapoussin effort over the crossbar. So both teams kept each other pretty well balanced and so we went to rest with a glasses score....
The second half started with the same 22 tenors and initially also with the same game picture, i.e. Union trying to switch quickly via Amoura, among others. Yet it was Blauw-Zwart that took the lead! Moris wanted to kick out, but Vetlesen tried to jump in front of it. The leather landed against the foot of the Norwegian and so the ball capriolized against the nets. The goal counted, so that's how the visitors got the lead (with a bit of luck). The goal threat after halftime continued to come from Club, though. Skóraś put the ball sharply in front of goal and at the far post Meijer was able to head the ball from close range, but it went ner over goal. Just before halfway through the second half, Blauw-Zwart was dealt a blow. Vetlesen was already yellow-carded and went too fierce on Mac Allister. A second yellow card, and consequently red, was the harsh verdict and so the Bruges players had to continue with 10 for another half hour.
This was obviously the signal for Union to put extra pressure on the Bruges defense. Puertas tried with a blast to the top left corner, but Jackers again kept a strong game and prevented the equalizer. A few minutes later, a second goal for Blauw-Zwart did fall! De Cuyper sliced a corner kick well and Meijer headed the ball into the far corner via the post into the nets. This goal was certainly welcome for the visitors, but moments later the Brusselers were able to score the tying goal. Puertas painted a free kick beautifully and hard into the top corner, leaving Jackers no chance. This goal obviously gave Union renewed hope and they went all out in search of that equalizer. At Club, the main thing now was to stay well organized and that's what the Bruges players did.
Five extra minutes were counted, but in it Club held up well against Union's pressure. The victory was not given away and this brings Blau-Zwart to two points of the lead. Now come two more important duels against that other team in form, namely KRC Genk!
Jupiler Pro League - Champions' Play-offs: Playday 4
Spectators: 9.400 - Stade Joseph Marien
Referee: Jasper Vergoote
Union Saint-Gilloise: Anthony Moris - Kevin Mac Allister, Christian Burgess, Koki Machida - Alessio Castro-Montes, Charles Vanhoutte (81' Noah Sadiki), Mathias Rasmussen (81' Kevin Rodríguez), Cameron Puertas, Loïc Lapoussin - Mohamed Amoura, Gustaf Nilsson.
Bench: Heinz Lindner, Ross Sykes, Noah Sadiki, Casper Terho, Henok Teklab, Lazare Amani, Elton Kabangu, Dennis Eckert Ayensa, Kevin Rodríguez.
Coach: Alexander Blessin.
Club Brugge: Nordin Jackers - Kyriani Sabbe, Jorne Spileers, Brandon Mechele, Bjorn Meijer - Éder Balanta (61' Denis Odoi), Hugo Vetlesen, Hans Vanaken - Michał Skóraś (71' Maxim De Cuyper), Igor Thiago (87' Joel Ordóñez), Antonio Nusa (61' Ferran Jutglà).
Bench: Nick Shinton, Josef Bursik, Joel Ordóñez, Dedryck Boyata, Maxim De Cuyper, Denis Odoi, Shion Homma, Chemsdine Talbi, Philip Zinckernagel, Ferran Jutglà.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Yellow cards: Vetlesen, Amoura, Lapoussin, Castro-Montes, Odoi
Red cardsVetlesen(2x yellow).
Goals: 52' Vetlesen (0-1), 74' Meijer (0-2), 82' Puertas (1-2)
