After the big win in the outward match, Blauw-Zwart travelled to Iceland for the return match against KA Akureyri in the penultimate preliminary round of the UEFA Europa Conference League. Boyata gave Club the lead early in the first half and on the stroke of halftime Skóras doubled the score in a very nice way. KA Akureyri was able to mitigate once after the break, but it was mainly Yaremchuk who unleashed his devils and was able to score another hat-trick. Result: 1-5 and convincing qualification!
Club found its way to goal very easily in the past two games, as it scored as many as 10 times. As could be expected, coach Deila made several changes to the starting eleven for this return match. Compared to the win against Eupen, we noted only three of the same names from the start, namely Mignolet, Vetlesen and Zinckernagel. Furthermore, chances were mainly given to the youth. Among others, Ordóñez and Sabbe got their chance in the starting line-up. Up front, Yaremchuk was supported by Skóras and Nusa.
Despite the comfortable starting position, the visitors immediately went on the attack. In the opening minutes Zinckernagel immediately found Nusa, but his effort went over goal. This turned out to be a stay of execution, because in minute 7 the Bruges visitors were on target. The ball was flicked in front of goal and Odoi was completely free. His attempt was first saved by Audunsson, but the rebound by Boyata was no match for him. Club took an early lead and five minutes later the score was almost doubled. Odoi had a free header on a corner kick, but it hit the post. Club pressed on and in the following minutes there were chances for Vetlesen and Nusa, but each time without success. The only disappointment in the first half, however, was Nielsen's injury. He had to leave the field early and was replaced by Homma.
Halfway through the first half, the home team had their first chance. Steimgrimsson went for his chance and Mignolet had to intervene to turn the ball into a corner. On the half hour the Icelanders were there again, but even Petersen could not outsmart the Bruges goalie. Surely this was the signal for Club to push the gas pedal back a bit. Odoi sent Yaremchuk deep, but he failed to beat Audunsson eye-to-eye. One minute later we again noted the same two key players, but again with the same result. Shortly before halftime, Zinckernagel also tried his hand by first cutting inside and then kicking. His blast landed above Audunsson's goal. Just before halftime, the score was doubled. A deflected ball fell to Skóras, who did not hesitate to kick the ball straight at goal. His volley hit the nets in the far corner and we went into the break with a double lead.
Coach Deila made one substitution at halftime, allowing Onyedika to start the second half in place of Vetlesen. As in the first game, it was again the visitors who created the first danger. Zinckernagel combined with Skóras and then took a shot with his left. The shot went just wide of the post. After this, the tempo disappeared from the game, but shortly before the hour there was again reason to cheer on the Bruges side. Onyedika intercepted the ball and then played it wide for Yaremchuk at the right moment. This allowed the Ukrainian striker to get his goal as well. One minute later, the home team was also able to cheer, as Petersen was able to mitigate with a beautiful blast past Mignolet. Club was not really affected by this, as the score was increased a good five minutes later. Yaremchuk pushed through well on a back pass and was quicker on the leather to poke his second of the evening in.
The substitutes at Club also showed themselves, but Vermant failed to slide a De Cuyper cross into goal. The former was decisive moments later, though, as he served Yaremchuk to allow the Ukrainian to complete his hat-trick. This should give a confidence boost to the striker anyway, and he received an applause change moments later. Meanwhile, Japan's Homma also showed, but twice he failed to beat goalkeeper Audunsson.
At the very end, KA Akureyri had to finish the game with its ten after Edmundsson picked up his second yellow card. De Cuyper scored the last chance, but nothing changed in the 1-5 score. After the outward game, Club won the return game with the same figures and thus easily qualified for the last preliminary round. There, next week, Spanish Osasuna awaits!
UEFA Europa Conference League - Third preliminary round (return match)
Spectators: 9,500 - Laugardalsvöllur
Referee: Michael Fabbri (ITA)
KA Akureyri: Steinthór Már Audunsson - Alex Freyr Elísson (71' Hrannar Mar Steingrímsson) , Rodri, Ívar Örn Árnason, Ingimar Torbjörnsson Stöle - Paetur Petersen, Daníel Hafsteinsson (83' Sveinn Margeir Hauksson) , Harley Willard (71' Joan Edmundsson) - Jakob Snaer Árnason (62' Ásgeir Sigurgeirsson), Elfar Árni Adalsteinsson, Hallgrímur Mar Steingrímsson (83' Valdimar Logi Saevarsson).
Bank: Ívar Arnbro Thórhallsson, Kristijan Jajalo, Breki Hólm Baldursson, Sindri Sigurdarson, Joan Edmundsson, Ásgeir Sigurgeirsson, Gabriel Lukas Freitas Meira, Hrannar Mar Steingrímsson, Sigurdur Brynjar Pórisson, Sveinn Margeir Hauksson, Valdimar Logi Saevarsson, Andri Fannar Stefansson.
Coach: Hallgrimur Jonasson.
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Denis Odoi, Dedryck Boyata, Joel Ordóñez, Kyriani Sabbe - Casper Nielsen (21' Shion Homma), Hugo Vetlesen (46' Raphael Onyedika), Philip Zinckernagel (63' Romeo Vermant) - Michal Skóras, Roman Yaremchuk (80' Igor Thiago), Antonio Nusa (63' Maxim De Cuyper).
Bench: Nordin Jackers, Raphael Onyedika, Brandon Mechele, Tajon Buchanan, Maxim De Cuyper, Shion Homma, Romeo Vermant, Igor Thiago.
Coach: Ronny Deila.
Yellow cards: Boyata, Adalsteinsson, Odoi, Zinckernagel, Elísson, Edmundsson
Red cards: Edmundsson (2x yellow)
Goals: 7' Boyata (0-1), 45+3' Skóras (0-2), 58' Yaremchuk (0-3), 60' Petersen (1-3), 66' Yaremchuk (1-4), 76' Yaremchuk (1-5)