Club Brugge won the first leg of the Conference League quarter-finals 1-0 against PAOK Saloniki. Hugo Vetlesen gave Blauw-Zwart an early lead, but that was the only goal of the evening despite numerous chances. Club thus travels to Greece next week with a tight bonus.
Nicky Hayen changed the team that beat Anderlecht on Sunday in four places. At the back, Jorne Spileers and Maxim De Cuyper were favored over Ordóñez and Meijer, while in midfield the recovered Hans Vanaken took his starting place back in place of the injured Nielsen. Up front, Ferran Jutglà forced Antonio Nusa on the bench.
The Greeks put a lot of pressure right from the kick-off and created the first chance after only a minute of play: Ally Samatta (ex-Genk and Antwerp) headed a free kick just wide. Club was woken up immediately, but had an excellent reaction: Jutglà put the ball back to Hugo Vetlesen, who sidefooted the ball into the far corner: 1-0. Shortly afterwards it was almost 2-0 when De Cuyper's cross just evaded Thiago in front of goal. The Brazilian then headed a cross from the same De Cuyper over goal. In between, Spileers was able to block a shot by Samatta.
Club had the better chances, but the Greeks did not let them get away with it. They kept putting high pressure, which made it difficult for Blauw-Zwart. Ten minutes before halftime, the Bruges players were able to threaten again: Jutglà teed up Vetlesen just as in the opening goal but this time the Norwegian's shot was blocked. The resulting corner kick by De Cuyper was deflected against the post by Mechele, but it appeared to have crossed the goal line beforehand. Shortly thereafter, Thiago had another good chance, but the Brazilian was unable to capitalize on a Vetlesen cross. At the other end, attempts by Meïté and Taison whizzed over the crossbar.
In the second half, Blauw-Zwart remained the better team. The first chance was for Skóraś, but his shot went over the goal. Moments later Jutglà was able to threaten twice: first the Spaniard hit the side-netting and then goalkeeper Kotarski made an excellent diving save to deny him. Then it was again Skóraś who was dangerous twice: first his free-kick sailed just over the crossbar and after a clever action he just couldn't reach a teammate. Moments later Vanaken went just under a cross from Sabbe.
The Greeks backed off a bit more, but in the meantime were looking for the counter. Twenty minutes before time, Živković curled a free-kick just wide. A big warning for Club, which then came close to scoring a second goal. Vanaken was unable to capitalize on a good move by Nusa. The chance for the second goal came fifteen minutes before time: goalkeeper Kotarski brought Onyedika down in the penalty area and German referee Siebert pointed to the spot. Igor Thiago took his responsibility but saw his eleven-meter stopped by the PAOK goalkeeper.
In the closing stages, things remained very exciting. The Greeks tried to salvage a draw, giving Club more room to counter. However, it failed to score a second time, leaving it heading to Greece next week with a tight bonus.
UEFA Europa Conference League - Quarterfinal (away)
Spectators: 24,000 - Jan Breydelstadion
Referee: Daniel Siebert (Ger)
Club Brugge: Nordin Jackers - Kyriani Sabbe, Jorne Spileers (55' Joel Ordóñez), Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper - Hugo Vetlesen (73' Éder Balanta), Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken - Michał Skóraś, Igor Thiago, Ferran Jutglà (73' Antonio Nusa). Bank: Joe Bursik, Bjorn Meijer, Dedryck Boyata, Shion Homma, Chemsdine Talbi and Philip Zinckernagel. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
PAOK Saloniki: Dominik Kotarski - Vieirinha (81' Jonny), Tomasz Kędziora, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Abdul Rahman Baba - Magomed Ozdoev (72' Stefan Schwab), Soualiho Meïté, Andrija Živković, Ioannis Konstantelias (62' Kiril Despodov), Taison - Ally Mbwana Samatta (72' Brandon). Coach: Răzvan Lucescu.
Yellow cards: Thiago, Samatta, De Cuyper, Mechele, Skóraś.
Red cards: none
Goals: 6' Vetlesen (1-0).
