After the 2-1 defeat in the out game against Molde FK, Club Brugge knew what to do for the return at Jan Breydel. On the stroke of halftime, Skov Olsen opened the scoring for Club. That good feeling continued after halftime with another goal from Skov Olsen and eventually Skóraś decided the match. On to the quarterfinals!
Blauw-Zwart secured a spot in the Champions' Playoffs last weekend after a 3-1 win against OH Leuven. For the important European confrontation against Molde FK, coach Deila fortunately recovered some key players. For example, Mignolet was fit again and he immediately took his place under the crossbar again at the expense of Jackers. Thiago also returned from injury and was immediately allowed to start in attack with Jutglà and Skov Olsen in support. In defense, Odoi disappeared to the bench and De Cuyper played at right back and finally Onyedika was also allowed to start, leaving Nielsen to make peace with a place on the bench.
Club had something to put right from the first match and the Bruggelings immediately demanded the ball. After three minutes this resulted in a quick conversion via De Cuyper and Skov Olsen, but the latter didn't get the ball to a teammate and Vanaken couldn't get a corner either. The first real goal chance for the home team came in minute 10. Vanaken brought the ball well in front of goal and there Jutglà could put his head against the leather. Unfortunately the power was lacking and goalkeeper Petersen could easily grab the ball. The visitors from Norway limited themselves mainly to defending, but showed themselves a little after the quarter-hour mark. Linnes was able to run away from Jutglà and then kicked with the left towards goal. Mignolet fortunately saw the ball go over his goal. Blauw-Zwart reacted to this with an indirect free kick (after goalie Petersen drew time) from De Cuyper, but his attempt did not get past the wall.
Club's most dangerous man was Jutglà, but he was unlucky in his finishing. On the half hour Meijer put the ball into the box, but the Catalan striker's header unfortunately hit the post. Soon after, Skov Olsen also ventured his chance from outside the sixteen, but his blast whizzed over Petersen's cage. The home team systematically increased the tempo and tried to press Molde against their own goal. Unfortunately, this lasted only 5 to 10 minutes, and after that the pace disappeared from the match again. Shortly before half time, Club managed to get through the visitors' organization, but Petersen went flat on Vetlesen's attempt. Yet Club still went to rest with a lead! Jutglà crossed the ball well deep to the flank for Meijer and the latter laid the leather perfectly to the penalty spot. There Skov Olsen did not hesitate to kick the 1-0 for Club against the nets. Thus we went to rest with an important lead for the Bruges players after all....
Blue-Black could therefore start the second half with a good feeling and ei so after the score was immediately doubled. De Cuyper found the head of Ordóñez with his corner kick, but he saw the ball go just wide of the post. Delay is not a postponement, because a few minutes later the 2-0 was on the board! Jutglà laid the ball wide for Skov Olsen, who made room for his left. In his familiar way, the Danish winger sought the far corner and his curled shot landed beautifully out of Petersen's reach. The home team now continued to put the good combinations on the mat through Vanaken and Vetlesen, among others. The Norwegian also brought the ball well in front of goal, but Jutglà could not press his header. Club had the match in their hands, but still had to watch out for the rare counterpricks from Molde. A free kick was cut in sharply and fortunately nobody deflected it.
Still a bit of a scare for Club, but shortly thereafter the just-fallen Skóraś cleared the doubts. He advanced with the ball at foot and then cut inside on the edge of the sixteen and popped the leather past Petersen with his left! The game had been played, but Blauw-Zwart still felt like looking for some more goals. Vanaken tried from outside the penalty area, but his attempt lacked power. Then moments later Thiago was much closer, but he couldn't keep his shot low. Laying wide for a teammate might have been a better option here.
Four minutes of extra time were counted, but Molde got no further than a distance attempt high over goal. Thanks to two goals by Skov Olsen and one by Skóraś, Club qualified for the quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa Conference League!
UEFA Europa Conference League - 1/8thFinals (return match)
Spectators: 13,000 - Jan Breydelstadion
Referee: Radu Petrescu (ROE)
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Maxim De Cuyper, Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Bjorn Meijer (90+2' Kyriani Sabbe) - Raphael Onyedika, Hugo Vetlesen (84' Casper Nielsen), Hans Vanaken - Andreas Skov Olsen (67' Michał Skóraś), Igor Thiago, Ferran Jutglà (84' Antonio Nusa).
Bank: Nordin Jackers, Nick Shinton, Jorne Spileers, Denis Odoi, Kyriani Sabbe, Éder Balanta, Casper Nielsen, Antonio Nusa, Michał Skóraś, Victor Barberá.
Coach: Ronny Deila.
Molde FK: Oliver Petersen - Casper Øyvann, Anders Hagelskjær, Kristoffer Haugen - Martin Linnes, Markus André Kaasa, Mats Møller Dæhli, Eirik Hestad (84' Gustav Nyheim), Mathias Fjørtoft Løvik (68' Halldor Stenevik) - Fredrik Gulbrandsen, Veton Berisha (24' Kristian Eriksen).
Bank: Jacob Karlstrøm, Halldor Stenevik, Kristian Eriksen, Johan Bakke, Niklas Ødegård, Leon Juberg-Hovland, Gustav Nyheim.
Coach: Erling Moe.
Yellow cards: Gulbrandsen, De Cuyper
Red cardsnone
Goals: 45+1' Skov Olsen (1-0), 48' Skov Olsen (2-0), 70' Skóraś (3-0)
