Blue-Black takes deserved and pleasing win in the 'Battle of Flanders'!

On matchday 27 of the Jupiler Pro League, 'De Slag om Vlaanderen' took place between Club Brugge and KAA Gent at the Jan Breydelstadion. In an intense first half no goals were scored, but deep in the second half Meijer broke the spell with a header goal. In injury time, Vanaken recorded the final score from the spot. Blauw-Zwart thus took a pleasing victory!

After the draw in the city derby against Cercle Brugge, coach Parker was not at all satisfied with his team's performance. For the top match against KAA Gent, he made some changes to his starting eleven. In defense, Mata and Mechele took their places at the expense of Odoi and Sylla. There was also a starting place for Sowah. Together with Lang and Jutglà, he formed the attacking trio. For the visitors, watch out for the attacking duo of Cuypers and Orban.

Blue-Black immediately started the game offensively and this resulted in two good opportunities within the first few minutes. Buchanan came inside and placed the ball to the far corner, but Nardi tapped wide. A few minutes later a cross from Vanaken went to the far post and again the visitors' goalie had to intervene. Club continued to dictate the law and again it was captain Vanaken who created danger with his head, but the leather was turned off the line. KAA Gent responded through a distance shot by Torunarigha, but Mignolet did not have to intervene. Just before the quarter-hour mark, both sides were in danger. First Orban kicked the ball straight at Mignolet and immediately on the other side Nardi had a good reflex on a shot from close range by Jutglà. Around minute 20, the visitors were in danger twice in quick succession. Nielsen first played an excellent shot from Nurio and a long distance shot from de Sart went wide.

The pressure from Blauw-Zwart eased off for a moment and KAA Gent got a better chance. Okumu tried to outsmart Mignolet from his own half, but he reacted alertly. Just after the half hour mark Lang thought his moment had come, but his shot from just outside the penalty area was well parried by Nardi. This phase was followed by a period with lots of duels and intensity, but without many chances. Around minute 40, Club still showed itself once more through Vanaken. He was able to deviate a free kick from Lang with his head, but the leather went on the roof of the goal. Blauw-Zwart tried to force the opening in the first half, but a shot by Buchanan was blocked. We went to rest with a glasses score....

Club started the second half, like the first, with an excellent chance. Mata brought the ball in front of goal and there Jutglà was able to head free. However, the leather unfortunately went wide of Nardi's cage. The home team continued to put pressure, but the same Jutglà also failed to control an excellent cross from Buchanan. All the Bruges goal danger continued to come from the Spanish striker, but this time his blast from distance was deflected into a corner kick. So the Blue-Black dominance was not converted into goals for the time being, and Sowah also failed to get the leather framed on Lang's cross.

Club thus continued to search for that redeeming goal and in minute 74 it was finally prize! Mata reached the back line as usual and put the ball in front of goal. There Meijer timed it best to head the ball into the goal via the underside of the crossbar. Jan Breydel was shaking on its foundations, as you could see the relief in all Bruges supporters. Club did not press immediately, but the visitors did not create any more chances either. Both coaches made several substitutions, but without any additional goal threat. The decision came at the very end of the match. Yaremchuk went down in the penalty area and after long discussions with the VAR, ref Lambrechts finally pointed to the spot. Vanaken remained calm and sent Nardi the wrong way.

This way, Blauw-Zwart scored a satisfying and well-deserved victory in the 'Battle of Flanders'. Club is now firmly in fourth place and ahead of Ghent. Next Friday already, they travel to KV Oostende...

Jupiler Pro League - Playday 27
Spectators: 29,042 - Jan Breydelstadion
Referee: Erik Lambrechts
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Clinton Mata, Jack Hendry (24' Abakar Sylla), Brandon Mechele, Bjorn Meijer - Casper Nielsen, Kamal Sowah (90+6' Antonio Nusa), Hans Vanaken - Tajon Buchanan, Ferran Jutglà (85' Roman Yaremchuk), Noa Lang (85' Mats Rits).
Bench: Josef Bursik, Nick Shinton, Denis Odoi, Dedryck Boyata, Abakar Sylla, Mats Rits, Cisse Sandra, Antonio Nusa, Roman Yaremchuk.
Coach: Scott Parker.
KAA Gent: Paul Nardi - Joseph Okumu (46' Brian Emo Agbor), Michael Ngadeu, Jordan Torunarigha - Malick Fofana (78' Laurent Depoitre), Sven Kums, Julien de Sart, Hyun-seok Hong (78' Matisse Samoise), Núrio Fortuna (87' Cederick Van Daele) - Gift Emmanuel Orban, Hugo Cuypers (87' Jens Petter Hauge).
Bench: Davy Roef, Jens Petter Hauge, Matisse Samoise, Rune Van Den Bergh, Laurent Depoitre, Cederick Van Daele, Brian Emo Agbor.
Coach: Hein Vanhaezebrouck.

Yellow cards: Mata, Sylla
Red cards: none
Goals: 73' Meijer (1-0), 90+3' Vanaken (2-0)