For the outward match of the semifinals in the UEFA Europa Conference League, Club Brugge headed to Florence to take on ACF Fiorentina. The Italians took an early lead after a goal by Sottil, but on the quarter hour Vanaken equalized from the penalty spot. The home team went into the break with a lead after a goal by Belotti. In the second half, Club had to continue with 10 after red for Onyedika, but Thiago was able to equalize. In the absolute close, however, Nzola recorded the 3-2 final score. Everything remains playable for the return match at Jan Breydel!
Blauw-Zwart beat KRC Genk twice last week to take the lead in the Jupiler Pro League alongside Anderlecht. Due to the busy schedule, interim coach Hayen rotated regularly and so three changes were again made in the starting eleven compared to last Sunday's 0-3 win at Cegeka Arena. In defense, Spileers joined the team at the expense of Ordóñez and in midfield Odoi took his place alongside Onyedika and Vanaken. Vetlesen had to settle for a place on the bench. Nusa also had to take a seat there, as Jutglà was trusted to play alongside Skóraś in support of Thiago. At Fiorentina, star player Nicolás González was, as expected, in the starting lineup.
In soaking wet conditions, Club started the match best, as already in the first minute we could note an opportunity for Thiago. The Brazilian had some space and immediately went for his chance from distance, but his blast landed just over Terracciano's goal. The home team's reaction did not take long, however, because after five minutes the first chance for Fiorentina was an immediate hit. Sottil got the ball on the left flank, came inside and then curled the leather into the far corner against the nets out of reach of Jackers. Blue-Black had to recover a bit after this early blow and a few minutes later it was 2-0. Biraghi went deep on the right flank and almost against the back line he laid back for González. That luckily kicked too wildly across goal without Jackers having to intervene. The game went up and down well and Club also showed once again. The ball fell well for Thiago and he was able to strike Terracciano from close range. In the retrieval, the striker tried to reach Skóraś, but the leather landed against the arm of Biraghi. Ref Oliver was called to the VAR screen and pointed to the spot. Captain Vanaken took his responsibility and remained icily calm to bring the Bridge goalkeepers alongside on the quarter hour!
González remained Fiorentina's most dangerous man, but fortunately his aim was not yet set. Halfway through the first half, Onyedika headed the ball into his feet, but the Argentine kicked over goal. Moments later the same González threatened with his head, but Jackers could easily pick up the ball. On the Bruges side, Jutglà was able to create a threat after a nice dribble in the penalty area, but his pass was defused by Martinez Quarta. The home side did continue to look for another lead and it eventually came. Club couldn't get the ball away, allowing Bonaventura to strike from just outside the box. Jackers could not clip the blast and in the retrieval González tried in a spectacular way. It was only half successful, but the ball landed at the feet of Belotti, who kicked the 2-1 past Jackers. Once again the visitors had to find a way to regain some balance and now it was important not to swallow another goal before halftime. Fiorentina did not get further than a header from Beltrán on the roof of the goal and we went into the break with a small deficit...
The same 22 protagonists started the second half and it was the Italians who immediately claimed the ball again. After five minutes, this resulted in a first goal opportunity. A free kick was sharply cut in by Beraghi and Belotti was able to frame his header. Jackers fortunately had a good reflex to tap the leather over goal. On the hour Blauw-Zwart responded through Thiago who pushed forward well in the sixteen. The Brazilian laid the ball off for Jutglà, but the Catalan unfortunately did not come out with his passes. A few minutes later, the visitors from Bruges had to deal with another setback, as Onyedika picked up two yellow cards in a short period of time and so Club had to continue with ten for a good half hour. Still, Blauw-Zwart managed to restore the balance! Spileers sent a perfect long ball into the path of Thiago, who did the rest. With the ball at his feet, he entered the sixteen and then kicked in from a sharp angle.
Fiorentina could not create any more danger, but halfway through the second half Bonaventura made an attempt. After a corner, the ball came to him, but his shot went wide via Martínez. Club did find it increasingly difficult to keep the home team away from Jackers' cage, and this resulted in some good opportunities for the Italians. In minute 80, the substitute Ikoné came inside only to fish the far cross, but Jackers had a clever floating save to avoid the counter goal. Shortly after, it was Belotti who was able to head in on a cross from Bonaventura, but fortunately the leather went wide. Two minutes later, the same Belotti was able to head in again, but again the ball bumped wide of Jackers' cage.
Blauw-Zwart seemed to survive the final offensive, but unfortunately the winning goal for Fiorentina fell in injury time. Nzola, who had just stepped in, first hit the post, but in the retrieval he could easily lay the ball in. Club went into the return game with a small deficit, but in a swirling Jan Breydel everything remains playable!
UEFA Europa Conference League - Semi-Final (Venue match)
Spectators: 43.147 - Stadio Artemio Franchi
Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG)
ACF Fiorentina: Pietro Terracciano - Dodô, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Luca Ranieri, Cristiano Biraghi - Arthur Melo (70' Maxime Lopezà, Giacomo Bonaventura (88' Antonín Barák), Lucas Beltrán (70' Jonathan Ikoné) - Nicolás González, Andrea Belotti (88' M'Bala Nzola), Riccardo Sottil (52' Christian Kouamé).
Bench: Oliver Christensen, Nikola Milenković, Maxime Lopez, Jonathan Ikoné, M'Bala Nzola, Davide Faraoni, Alfred Duncan, Michael Kayode, Rolando Mandragora, Fabiano Parisi, Antonín Barák, Christian Kouamé.
Coach: Vincenzo Italiano.
Club Brugge: Nordin Jackers - Kyriani Sabbe, Jorne Spileers (90+3' Joel Ordóñez), Brandon Mechele, Bjorn Meijer - Denis Odoi (90+3' Éder Balanta), Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken - Michał Skóraś (66' Casper Nielsen), Igor Thiago, Ferran Jutglà (79' Hugo Vetlesen).
Bench: Simon Mignolet, Joel Ordóñez, Andreas Skov Olsen, Hugo Vetlesen, Casper Nielsen, Dedryck Boyata, Antonio Nusa, Éder Balanta, Maxim De Cuyper, Philip Zinckernagel.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Yellow cards: González, Onyedika (2x), Martínez Quarta, Jackers
Red cardsOnyedika(2 x yellow)
Goals: 5' Sottil (1-0), 17' Vanaken (1-1), 37' Belotti (2-1), 63' Thiago (2-2), 90+3' Nzola (3-2)
