Despite last week's victory against Zulte Waregem, coach Scott Parker still tinkered with his starting line-up. Hendry, Rits, Mechele and Sowah were given the nod, just like Buchanan who returned from a one-match ban. Mata, Boyata, Nielsen, Skov Olsen and the injured Jutlà were left out.
It was a tame start of the match with two teams focussing on their defensive duties. Club tried to be dangerous on the break, but couldn't get in a scoring position.
The same applied to the Antwerp attackers. When it looked like they found a breach, Odoi brought down Bataille and got booked after only eight minutes. This fifth yellow means he misses Friday's encounter with Union.
We were already over halfway the first half when a goalkeeper was put to work for a first time. Mignolet saved Muja's long-distance strike with ease. After that strike, Antwerp tried get a firmer grip on the match, but it was Club that created the next chance. Rits' free-kick landed in the feet of Vanaken who fired at goal, but saw his shot blocked by Alderweireld.
That was it for the entire first half, apart from some fouls and the occassional upset on the pitch, but the referee kept his cards in his pocket.
The second half started with a double chance for the home side. Janssen drilled it towards goal and Ekkelenkamp was bound to stab home the rebound, but Mechele did great to prevent it. Antwerp appealed for a penalty, but the referee waved to play on.
After that chance, there wasn't much for the fans to cheer for. Both sides didn't feel like giving away too much space, so promising attacks were scarce. The high intensity did result in booking for Buchanan, De Laet, Lang, Mechele and Onyedika.
Fifteen minutes before the end Antwerp upped the tempo. A counterattacking move from Antwerp had some potential but substitute Kerk made the wrong choice and blasted the ball high over the goalbar. Antwerp tried to get a late goal in, but couldn't dismantle's Club's organization. De Laet came closest to a stoppage time goal, but his volley flew over the target.
In the dying seconds of the match Blauw-Zwart did have a small chance to go home with all three points when the ball fell into the path of Odoi, inside Antwerp's penalty box. But the defender was too surprised and his shot was an easy catch for Butez.
All and all, too little chances this match so the 0-0 endresult was a fair verdict.
Jupiler Pro League – Matchday 24
Attendance: 23.000 – Bosuilstadion
Referee: Lothar D’Hondt
Royal Antwerp: Jean Butez – Ritchie De Laet, Toby Alderweireld, William Pancho - Arbore Muja (46’ Gyrano Kerk), Keita, Jürgen Ekkelenkamp, Arthur Vermeeren, Jelle Bataille - Michel-Ange Balikwisha (75’ Anthony Valencia), Vincent Janssen. Coach: Mark Van Bommel.
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet – Dennis Odoi, Brandon Mechele, Jack Hendry, Bjorn Meijer - Mats Rits (80’ Casper Nielsen), Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken - Tajon Buchanan, Kamal Sowah (88’ Roman Yaremchuk), Noa Lang. Bench: Josef Bursik, Nick Shinton, Clinton Mata, Dedryck Boyata, Abakar Sylla, Cisse Sandra, Antonio Nusa,. Coach: Scott Parker.
Yellow cards: 8’ Odoi, 54’ Buchanan, 62’ De Laet, 66’ Lang, 71’ Mechele
Red cards: none
Goals: none
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