On matchday 7 of the Champions' Play-offs, Club Brugge headed to the Bosuil to take on R. Antwerp FC. In the first half, both teams had chances, but did not score. Early in the second half, Club took a lucky lead thanks to an owngoal by Alderweireld and Skov Olsen doubled the score with a classy flash. Antwerp got no further than Balikwisha's tying goal and so the Brugge players took the full spoils at the Bosuil. Club Brugge is again virtual leader!
Blauw-Zwart went down 3-2 at Fiorentina on Thursday, but kept all chances open for the return game next Wednesday. As a result of the busy schedule, interim coach Hayen made quite a few changes to his starting line-up. Perhaps the most notable name was that of Mignolet, who again took his place under the crossbar. Jackers had unfortunately suffered a (minor) injury. Two changes were then made in defense: De Cuyper and Ordóñez replaced Sabbe and Spileers, respectively. Vetlesen was then preferred to Odoi in midfield, and in the attacking compartment, Nusa came into the starting lineup at the expense of Jutglà. The last notable substitution was that of Skóraś by Skov Olsen. The latter was allowed to start for the first time in these Champions' Playoffs.
The game was less than ten seconds away and already there was consternation. Onyedika held Janssen off a bit just after kickoff and the latter retaliated with a bash at the Nigerian. The first yellow card of the match was immediate and the tone was set. After five minutes, Mignolet also had to make a first appearance on a blast from Ejuke, but Club's goalie alertly boxed the swerving ball out of his cage. After this fierce start, the pace slowed down and the visitors were gradually able to restore the balance. This also resulted in a first opportunity for the Brugge players. After a corner kick by De Cuyper, Antwerp's defense couldn't get rid of the ball and Vanaken was able to decide on the goal half from the turn. Lammens, however, did not allow himself to be surprised and punched the ball away. On the quarter hour mark, the home team responded through Janssen after a deflection from Ekkelenkamp, but he did not get his shot framed and decided over goal. Five minutes later, the goal-scoring chances were level again after Nusa was able to intercept the ball and strike with his left from a sharp angle. Lammens had a good leg sweep to prevent worse.
Club's Norwegian winger did provide the actions, but for now without successful follow-up. In his typical manner, he came inside only to fish out the far corner. However, his attempt went over and wide of Lammens' goal. Then the next chance for Antwerp was a lot more threatening through Ejuke. He had some time and space just outside the penalty area and could consequently strike. His shot might have been just inside the box, but Mignolet wisely took no risk and pushed the ball into the corner. After that, the pace disappeared from the game and Blauw-Zwart monopolized the ball. Shortly before halftime, however, the Brugge players were dealt a blow by Meijer's substitution. Sabbe was allowed to step in before the break. Shortly after, Ondrejka tried his hand with a dribble, but his shot was straight at Mignolet and thus posed no threat. It was clear that Antwerp was mainly dangerous via distance shots, as Alderweireld also tested the Bruges goalie in that way. Once again he did not allow himself to be outsmarted on the treacherous ball and in the absolute final it also went perfectly into the feet of Janssen. Thus Mignolet saved his team from falling behind on the stroke of halftime and consequently we went to rest without goals....
Van Bommel made two substitutions at halftime, namely Coulibaly and Ilenikhena came into the team for De Laet and Janssen. This did not immediately produce results, as it was Blauw-Zwart that took an early lead! Vanaken played to Thiago, who then tapped the ball in one time to De Cuyper. The left back tried to put the ball in front of goal, but his cross was deflected by Alderweireld and the ball ended up in goal behind Lammens. Antwerp had to recover from the setback and Club was now in control of the game. In this period Skov Olsen showed himself twice in short order, but his first attempt went high over goal and his second shot was too weak to worry Lammens. On the hour, van Bommel decided to make a triple substitution and ei so after had an immediate effect. Yusuf deviated the ball for the deep-lying Kerk and the latter then put the leather sharply in front of goal. Fortunately for Club, Balikwisha and Ilenikhena came just too late.
Almost immediately after this phase, however, Blauw-Zwart struck mercilessly! Skov Olsen drove up with the ball at foot, came in in his typical manner and curled the double lead beautifully into the far corner. The home team immediately had a chance to connect after an Ordóñez penalty error on Balikwisha. The latter did not miss the opportunity and sent Mignolet the wrong way from the spot. Antwerp then immediately went in search of the equalizer, but Kerk decided wildly wide and over goal. The visitors from Bruges had to recover for a moment, but did respond a little after halfway through the second half through Vanaken. After a fine chest check, 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 this. In the final minutes, Nielsen had a chance to extend the score, but his shot went wide. Blauw-Zwart adds another win to their series and can start the return game against Fiorentina with confidence!
Jupiler Pro League - Champions' Play-offs: Day 7
Spectators: 16,144 - Bosuilstadion
Referee: 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.
Bank: 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).
Bank: 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 cards: Janssen, Van Den Bosch, Ordóñez, Coulibaly
Red cards: none
Goals: 48' Alderweireld (owngoal) (0-1), 64' Skov Olsen (0-2), 67' Balikwisha (1-2)
