Blue-Black goes down 3-2 on Genk field

On the third matchday of the Jupiler Pro League, the Cegeka Arena hosted the topper between KRC Genk and Club Brugge. After an intense first half with lots of chances, Skov Olsen was able to give Club the lead on the stroke of halftime. After halftime, the Danish winger doubled the score, but Genk found the tying goal soon after through Steuckers from the penalty spot. At the end of regular playing time, Genk came alongside through a header by Tolu. In the added time, the Limburgers even managed to pull the sheet completely to themselves after a goal by Hrošovský. Thus, Club still remains in search of their first league win .

Blauw-Zwart went down with the smallest difference on the Standard field last week, missing the league start by 1 in 6. Coach Hayen was not satisfied with his team's performance and made no less than six changes for the topper against Genk. In defense, Ordóñez and De Cuyper came into the team at the expense of Romero and Seys. Onyedika also returned to the starting lineup and formed Bruges' midfield together with Vetlesen and Vanaken. Thus, Nielsen and Jashari disappeared to the bench. Finally, two changes were also made in the attacking compartment. Skov Olsen and Nusa were given the confidence to play in support of Nilsson. Thus, Tzolis and Skóraś had to make peace with a substitute role.

The topper between Genk and Club had no study round, as both teams went full steam ahead right from the start. That resulted in two good opportunities for Tolu in the first five minutes. After two minutes, Onyedika left the ball lying and Tolu was able to take a shot, but fortunately over goal. A few minutes later Bonsu Baah served the tall striker, but again he kicked over Mignolet's cage. Blauw-Zwart's reaction did not last long, as shortly after, Nilsson was able to run towards the sixteen with the ball at his feet. Van Crombrugge then had trouble with the angled shot and saw the ball hit the crossbar. Just before the quarter-hour mark, the visitors showed themselves once more through Nusa, but the Norwegian winger's kick was insufficient to really threaten the Genk goalie. At the other end, it was Tolu who nevertheless remained the most dangerous man for the home team, but this time Mignolet was right on the Genk striker's attempt. For the home team, though, they continued to find the Nigerian well. Kayembe swished the leather nicely in front of goal onto the head of Tolu, but he could not frame his header.

After a short drinks break, the pace was a little slower and there were fewer goal chances. Club had regained the balance and tried to threaten through Vetlesen, who maneuvered well past his opponent. The shot that followed was unfortunately too weak and centred on Van Crombrugge. On the stroke of halftime the nets started to shake, to Blauw-Zwart's advantage! Nusa advanced with the ball at foot and dribbled at speed past some players to then serve Skov Olsen in the sixteen. The latter remained calm and put the leather away perfectly with his right cross. Thus Blauw-Zwart went to rest with a 0-1 lead.

The second half started with the same 22 players and, as in the first half, the home team immediately created a threat. Nkuba came in from his flank and lashed out toward goal. The ball was deflected by Bonsu Baah and went just wide, leaving Mignolet nailed to the ground. A few minutes later Club responded through Nusa, but his beautiful curl to the far post was cleverly cleared out of goal by Van Crombrugge. Just before the hour, Genk threatened once more through a cross from Bonsu Baah to the far post, but fortunately the angle was too sharp and Nkuba could not frame his attempt. Shortly after this goal threat, the nets vibrated a second time for Club and again it was Skov Olsen who got the honors. The ball was played sharply in front of goal and Nilsson was able to deviate the leather. Van Crombrugge came out of his goal, but Vanaken was just a bit quicker and that way the leather finally reached Skov Olsen. The Dane could easily make his second of the afternoon in front of an empty goal. The VAR checked for possible hand play, but in the end the goal was approved. The visitors from Bruges seemed to have a comfortable lead, but halfway through the second half, Mechele touched the ball with his arm in his own box. Penalty for Genk was the result and Steuckers provided the tying goal.

The home team had smelled blood and actively went in search of the equalizer. The goal was soon scored by (again) Steuckers, but he was offside and the Genk party was cancelled out. The same Steuckers could almost take advantage of Bruges' ball loss again a few minutes later, but Mignolet was able to save the furniture for Club. After another drinks break, Blauw-Zwart could catch their breath for a moment and the next threat came from De Cuyper. His shot went wide and posed no danger to Van Crombrugge. The equalizer for the Limburgers was inevitable and it came. Steuckers put the ball sharply in front of goal and there Tolu was free to head in. Again the VAR checked for possible offside, but the equalizer counted. At the end of the regular playing time, Club did come close through Jutglà and Tzolis, but both were unable to frame their attempt.

With 11 minutes to spare, Genk took the lead: Hrošovský took the ball from outside the penalty area and curled it past Mignolet. A few minutes before the end, Vanaken had a good chance, but the captain's shot found two Genk players in his path. Club could not react any further and the score did not change. Final score: 3-2.

Jupiler Pro League - Playday 3
Spectators: 23,718 - Cegeka Arena
Referee: Nicolas Laforge
KRC Genk: Hendrik Van Crombrugge - Mujaid Sadick, Matte Smets, Josue Kongolo (71' Bryan Heynen), Joris Kayembe - Ken Nkuba (66' Zakaria El-Ouahdi), Nikolas Sattlberger (64' Konstantinos Karetsas), Patrik Hrošovský - Jarne Steuckers, Tolu Arokodare, Christopher Bonsu Baah (65' Yira Sor).
Bench: Mike Penders, Mark McKenzie, Bryan Heynen, Yira Sor, Andi Zeqiri, Hyeon-gyu Oh, Konstantinos Karetsas, Ibrahima Sory Bangoura, Noah Adedeji-Sternberg, Zakaria El-Ouahdi.
Coach: Thorsten Fink.
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Hugo Siquet (65' Joaquin Seys), Brandon Mechele, Joel Ordóñez, Maxim De Cuyper - Raphael Onyedika (82' Ardon Jashari), Hugo Vetlesen, Hans Vanaken - Andreas Skov Olsen (66' Christos Tzolis), Gustaf Nilsson (65' Ferran Jutglà), Antonio Nusa (66' Michał Skóraś).
Bank: Nordin Jackers, Dani van den Heuvel, Zaid Romero, Joaquin Seys, Ardon Jashari, Casper Nielsen, Michał Skóraś, Chemsdine Talbi, Christos Tzolis, Ferran Jutglà, Romeo Vermant.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Yellow cards: Vetlesen, Nkuba, Tzolis, Kayembe
Red cards: none
Goals: 45' Skov Olsen (0-1), 60' Skov Olsen (0-2), 68' Steuckers (1-2), 83' Tolu Arokodare (2-2), 90+4' Hrošovský (3-2)