Match day 7 of the Champions' Play-offs saw Club Brugge face R. Antwerp FC. Plenty of chances for both teams in the first half, but a 0-0 was taken to half time. Early in the second half, Club took a lucky lead thanks to an owngoal by Alderweireld, followed up with a touch of brilliance by Skov Olsen to make it 0-2. Antwerp got no further than Balikwisha's tying goal and so Club claims the three points at Antwerp, overtaking Anderlecht at the top of the table.
The 3-2 at Fiorentina in the Conference League still keeps everything open for the return on Wednesday. As a result of the busy schedule, interim coach Hayen again made quite a few changes to his starting line-up, the most notable of them perhaps Mignolet, who took his place between the sticks as Jackers had unfortunately suffered a (minor) injury at training. Two changes in defense too: De Cuyper and Ordóñez replaced Sabbe and Spileers, while Vetlesen was preferred over Odoi in midfield, and in attack, Nusa was given the nod at the expense of Jutglà. Finally Skov Olsen earned a first start in these Champions' Playoffs.
The game had only been underway for a handful of seconds when the first commotion arrived. Onyedika held off Janssen just after kickoff and the latter retaliated with a bash at the Nigerian, resulting in the first yellow of the match, setting the tone with an already fiery crowd. Five minutes into the game, Mignolet had to show his skills as Ejuke tried his luck from afar, punching away the effort from under the crossbar. The fierce start could not be continued, and the pace slowed down, allowing the visitors to gradually restore the balance. This also resulted in a first chance for Club: a De Cuyper corner kick was cleared by the Antwerp defense, but fell to Vanaken, who took it in one go but the volley found Lammens on his way. Fifteen minutes played, a deflection from Ekkelenkamp fell to Janssen, but the striker was unable to frame his shot and decided over. Minutes later, Thiago recovered well, setting up Nusa on the left wing, but the Norwegian saw his low shot saved by Lammens to keep Club from opening the score.
Club's Norwegian winger continued being a scourge on the left, but without success. In his typical manner, he came inside eyeing the far corner, but this time his attempt went over and wide. Antwerp was not taken aback, and Ejuke, given some time and space just outside the penalty area, fired one off but saw the low shot pawed away by a focused Mignolet into corner kick. The pace was then lowered, leaving Club in charge, monopolising the ball. With Sabbe on for an injured Meijer, Club had to stay mindful of Antwerp's long distance attempts, with among others Alderweireld chip off a Club defender as it went for goal, but fortuntately Mignolet had evaluated the ball well enough to push it into corner. At the stroke of half-time, the hosts had the best chance to take the lead as Janssen was put through, but Mignolet had timed his interception perfectly to tap the ball out of the striker's feet just inside the box. A goalless draw at half-time.
Two changes to the home side at halftime, with Coulibaly and Ilenikhena came on for De Laet and Janssen. This did not immediately lead to improvement, as it was Club that took an early lead! Vanaken with the ball to Thiago, who then tapped it in one go to De Cuyper. The left back then tried to find Club players in front of goal, but his cross was deflected by Alderweireld and the ball ended up in goal behind a hapless Lammens. Antwerp had to recover from the setback and Club was now in full charge. Skov Olsen showed himself twice in short order: his first attempt went high over and his second shot was too weak to worry Lammens. On the hour, Van Bommel made three changes that almost immediately seemed to pay off: Yusuf deviated to find Kerk on the right wing, and the latter then produced a fine cross, unmet by any Antwerp players.
Almost immediately after this, a merciless Club struck again. Skov Olsen surging forward and cutting inside in true Skov style, neatly curling in Club's second in the far corner. The home team immediately had the chance to get one back after an Ordóñez penalty error on Balikwisha. The latter did not miss, sending Mignolet the wrong way. Antwerp then immediately went in search of the equalizer, but Kerk decided wide and over goal. The visitors had to brush off for a moment, but responded a little after halfway through the second half through Vanaken. After a clever chest control, the captain immediately took aim, but his effort landed just above the bar. Club remained well organized after this and the home team failed to threaten Mignolet any further.
Five minutes of extra time were counted, but Club did not get into any more trouble. In the final minutes, Nielsen had the chance to further widen the gap, but his shot went well wide. Another win added to an already impressive run; Club can now take on the return game against Fiorentina with confidence!
Jupiler Pro League - Champions' Play-offs: Match day 7
Audience: 16,144 - Bosuil Stadium
Referee: Mr. Jasper Vergoote
R. Antwerp FC: Senne Lammens - Ritchie De Laet (46' Soumaïla Coulibaly), Zeno Van Den Bosch, Toby Alderweireld, Owen Wijndal - Eliot Matazo (62' Alhassan Yusuf), Mandela Keita, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp (62' Michel-Ange Balikwisha) - Jacob Ondrejka (62' Gyrano Kerk), Vincent Janssen (46' George Ilenikhena), Chidera Ejuke.
Bench: Niels Devalckeneer, Gyrano Kerk, George Ilenikhena, Alhassan Yusuf, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Soumaïla Coulibaly, Victor Udoh, Mahamadou Doumbia, Anthony Valencia.
Coach: Mark van Bommel.
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Maxim De Cuyper, Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Bjorn Meijer (41' Kyriani Sabbe) - Raphael Onyedika, Hugo Vetlesen (83' Casper Nielsen), Hans Vanaken - Andreas Skov Olsen (72' Philip Zinckernagel), Igor Thiago, Antonio Nusa (72' Michał Skóraś).
Bench: Josef Bursik, Argus Vanden Driessche, Kyriani Sabbe, Jorne Spileers, Denis Odoi, Éder Balanta, Casper Nielsen, Michał Skóraś, Philip Zinckernagel, Ferran Jutglà.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Yellow: Janssen, Van Den Bosch, Ordóñez, Coulibaly
Red: none
Goals: 48' Alderweireld (own-goal) (0-1), 64' Skov Olsen (0-2), 67' Balikwisha (1-2)
