After the convincing victory in the outward game, Blauw-Zwart had to qualify in the return game against AGF Aarhus. The home team took an early lead after a goal by Beijmo. That 1-0 was eventually also the final score. So Club lost, but did qualify for the third preliminary round of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Blauw-Zwart played a 1-1 draw against KV Mechelen in its first league match on Sunday and compared to the starting lineup then, coach Deila did make some changes now. Rits, Nusa and Thiago were relegated to the bench and their replacements were Vetlesen, Skóras and Vermant, respectively. Another notable change was the starting place for Skov Olsen, who was injured during the KV Mechelen game.
In fact, the match couldn't have started much worse for Club, as already after 3 minutes the Bruges players were in pursuit. A corner kick was extended at the first post, allowing the free-standing Beijmo to easily tap in at the second post. Blauw-Zwart had to recover from this early blow and had difficulty finding an opening in the Danish block. A long phase followed without any real chances on either side. AGF Aarhus left the ball to Club, which continued to search.
However, the concrete goal threat continued to come from the home team, as a little over halfway through the first half Mignolet had to show his ability. Knudsen put the ball in front of goal and there Kristensen was able to head. Mignolet dived well to the corner to prevent a second goal. Ten minutes later the Danes created another threat and again with the head. A free kick was flicked into the box and Tingager was free to head towards goal. Luckily the header went just over Mignolet's cage. Just before half time, Club was able to threaten after a nice combination. Skov Olsen played the ball wide for De Cuyper, who put it in front of goal. Vermant timed it well, but his header unfortunately went wide. So we rested with a 1-0 deficit...
Coach Deila was clearly not satisfied and intervened at halftime with a double substitution: Skóras and Vermant were allowed to stay in the locker room and were replaced by Nusa and Thiago respectively. Blauw-Zwart immediately tried to attack through Skov Olsen, but his cross just did not reach Nusa's head. A few minutes later, the home team showed themselves again with a double chance. First Mignolet had to punch away when the ball was put in front of goal with his head, and in the corner kick that followed the ball was just headed over. The game now went well up and down, as Club now also created danger. On corner kick Mechele was able to deviate the ball with his head, but too central and thus easy to catch.
Several substitutions were made by both coaches after this, but this did not immediately benefit the game. Around minute 78 the visitors had the biggest opportunity. Vanaken was just able to reach the ball with his tip and the ball ended up in the path of Nusa. From close range the Norwegian unfortunately did not manage to beat goalkeeper Peacock-Farrell with his head. Shortly before the end of regular playing time, the Bruges players poked their noses in the window once again through Nusa. He stabbed the ball deep to De Cuyper and the latter immediately tried to kick towards goal. However, his attempt went over goal.
In the added time, the home side did threaten briefly through a header by Mortenson, but the leather went over goal without Mignolet having to intervene. Nothing more changed in the score. Blauw-Zwart loses, but qualifies for the next round!
UEFA Europa Conference League - Second preliminary round (back)
Spectators: 20.032 - Ceres Park Arena
Referee: Atilla Karaoglan (Tur)
AGF Aarhus: Bailey Peacock-Farrell - Michael Akoto, Frederik Tingager, Thomas Kristensen - Felix Beijmo (74' Tobias Mölgaard), Tobias Bech (74' Adam Daghim), Nicolai Poulsen, Magnus Knudsen (82' Mads Emil Madsen), Eric Kahl - Janni Serra (57' Patrick Mortenson), Mikael Anderson (57' Peter Bjur).
Bench: Jesper Hansen, Jonathan Hutters, Mads Emil Madsen, Patrick Mortenson, Tobias Mölgaard, Mikkel Duelund, Peter Bjur, Zachary Duncan, Jacob Andersen, Adam Daghim, Frederik Brandhof, Mathias Dahl Sauer.
Coach: Uwe Rösler.
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Tajon Buchanan (83' Kyriani Sabbe), Brandon Mechele, Jorne Spileers, Maxim De Cuyper - Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken, Hugo Vetlesen (90+2' Casper Nielsen) - Andreas Skov Olsen (75' Mats Rits), Romeo Vermant (46' Igor Thiago), Michal Skóras (46' Antonio Nusa).
Bench: Nick Shinton, Joel Ordóñez, Denis Odoi, Victor Barberá, Mats Rits, Casper Nielsen, Antonio Nusa, Shion Homma, Kyriani Sabbe, Igor Thiago.
Coach: Ronny Deila.
Yellow cards: Skov Olsen, Bech, Akoto, Vermant, Knudsen, Rits
Red cards: none
Goals: 3' Beijmo (1-0)