On matchday 2 of the UEFA Europa Conference League, Blauw-Zwart traveled to Norwegian Bodø/Glimt. Halfway through the first half, Club took the lead through Vanaken and that 0-1 also turned out to be the final score. The first win in the group stage is a fact and so we go straight into the lead!
Blauw-Zwart drew 1-1 at home against STVV last weekend and coach Deila made some changes for the confrontation against Bodø/Glimt. At the back, Spileers again took his place in the center at the expense of Boyata and Vetlesen started in the center against his former team. Skov Olsen unfortunately had to withdraw with an injury and Skóras came into the starting line-up in his place. Finally, Thiago also regained confidence in attack, so Jutglà had to be satisfied with a bench role. Finally, Buchanan returned to the squad, but he too started on the bench.
In the opening minutes, it was Club that immediately claimed the ball and pushed forward. Apart from a too soft header by Thiago, this did not immediately lead to a goal. On the contrary, it was the home team that created the first big chance of the match after five minutes. Grønbæk was suddenly able to go off alone on Mignolet, but the Blue-Black's closing goalie got to his feet and was able to avoid worse. This was a bit of a scare, but a little before the quarter hour mark the visitors showed themselves a few times on short notice. Vanaken first cracked his shot and one minute later Thiago kicked into the side netting from a sharp angle. After 20 minutes, the nets shook for the first time! Vetlesen crossed deep for Zinckernagel, who in turn served the infiltrating Vanaken at the perfect moment. Our captain put the leather away nicely in the far corner and after a long consultation with the VAR (for whether or not Zinckernagel was offside) the Bruges lead was approved.
A little after the half hour, Zinckernagel sent a beautiful deep ball into the run of Thiago. The latter deviated a little too far with the leather, but then served the rising Skóras via a heel. The Polish winger kicked with the left, but the ball still deviated and so we got a corner kick. Five minutes from the halftime signal we noted another danger from the home team. Gulliksen passed Skóras a little too easily and then put the ball back up to Grønbæk. The latter made space for himself nicely, but then kicked over goal a bit too hastily from close range. Here Club thus escaped the equalizer and so we went to rest with the smallest difference in Blue-Black's favor....
At the start of the second half we noted the same 22 names and it was Bodø/Glimt that was able to threaten Mignolet after just one minute. With a subtle touch, Moumbagna was released and he was able to go for his chance. Once again, however, Mignolet was alertly guarding, foiling the attempt with a good foot reflex. Five minutes later there was another danger from the home side, but fortunately Pellegrino half missed his shot and the ball could be cleared. Club responded with a flowing combination through Zinckernagel and Skóras. The latter waited for De Cuyper to overlap, but he kicked into the side netting. Shortly after the hour, Blauw-Zwart was close to a double lead, but Jutglà failed to get past goalkeeper Khaykin. It was mainly substitute Buchanan who provided the offensive impetus for the visitors, but his good actions and ditto crosses unfortunately had no positive effect.
This was followed by a period with many substitutions on both sides, but this did not immediately benefit the game. Blauw-Zwart had control and Bodø/Glimt could not find a way to get close to Mignolet. Around minute 80 they succeeded once more, but Fet's shot posed no problem for the Bruges goalie. Blauw-Zwart hardly created any danger themselves, but were well organized.
At the end of regular playing time, the coach of the home team tried to bring in some new forces, but this did not change the score anymore. Thus, Club took its first win in the group stage of the UEFA Europa Conference League and moves into the lead!
UEFA Europa Conference League - Playday 2
Spectators: 8.270 - Aspmyra Stadium
Referee: Ondrej Berka (TSJ)
Bodø/Glimt: Nikita Khaykin - Fredrik Sjøvold, Brede Moe (90+2' Isak Amundsen), Odin Bjørtuft, André Bjørkan (72' Adam Sørensen) - Ulrik Saltnes (72' Sondre Brunstad Fet), Patrick Berg, Albert Grønbæk - Tobias Gulliksen (90+2' Oscar Forsmo Kapskarmo), Faris Moumbagna, Amahl Pellegrino (72' Nino Zugelj).
Bank: Magnus Brøndbo, Isak Sjong, Marius Lode, Isak Amundsen, Daniel Bassi, Morten Konradsen, Sondre Brunstad Fet, Petter Noaskhare Dahl, Oscar Forsmo Kapskarmo, Adam Sørensen, Nino Zugelj.
Coach: Kjetil Knutsen.
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Denis Odoi, Brandon Mechele, Jorne Spileers, Maxim De Cuyper - Raphael Onyedika (87' Casper Nielsen), Hans Vanaken, Hugo Vetlesen - Michal Skóras (83' Shion Homma), Igor Thiago (56' Ferran Jutglà), Philip Zinckernagel (56' Tajon Buchanan).
Bench: Nordin Jackers, Nick Shinton, Joel Ordóñez, Dedryck Boyata, Tajon Buchanan, Éder Balanta, Casper Nielsen, Shion Homma, Victor Barbera, Ferran Jutglà.
Coach: Ronny Deila.
Yellow cards: Skóras, De Cuyper, Gulliksen, Grønbæk, Bjørkan, Jutglà
Red cards: none
Goals: 20' Vanaken (0-1)