Club Brugge stunts and takes a deserved point against Paris Saint-Germain

Compared to the match won against KV Oostende, coach Philippe Clement changed his squad only on one position. Against the attacking force of PSG, he opted for some extra defensive stability in midfield. Mats Rits came into the team to play alongside Éder Balanta. Ruud Vormer therefore had to make peace with a place on the bench. At Paris Saint-Germain, the main question was whether the golden attacking trio Messi, Neymar & Mbappé would start, and yes...the three tenors were at the kick-off.

In a swirling Jan Breydel Stadium, it was PSG that, as expected, immediately claimed the ball. However, without really threatening, because Club was well organized and tried to get out quickly. On the quarter hour mark, Jan Breydel became silent when Mbappé unleashed his devils. He outmaneuvered Mata and crossed the ball low. There Herrera kicked in one time towards goal. Mignolet could reach it with his fingertips, but tapped the ball into the corner against the nets. PSG took the lead, but Club was not at all beaten and got better and better into the game. Still, PSG's trio up front remained alert. Messi sent Mbappé deep, but this time Mignolet had a clever save to prevent the 0-2.

In minute 27, the stadium was ablaze! Sobol put himself through well on the flank and brought the ball perfectly to the penalty spot. There captain Hans Vanaken appeared at the right moment and rammed the leather against the nets. All those who love Club were ecstatic...Club had smelled blood, but were shocked moments later when Messi painted the ball against the crossbar. Again, Blue-Black were not impressed at all and even took command of the match. Navas suddenly had to show his ability on a free kick by Vanaken and moments later on a shot by De Ketelaere. The latter formed a threatening combo with Lang and Sowah throughout the first half.

The second half started with two new names at PSG (i.e. Danilo and Draxler). Coach Clement maintained confidence in the same eleven names who played a very strong first half. Blue-Black also continued the momentum of the first half and immediately sought the attack. Lang tried it from a sharp angle, but Navas stood firm. Shortly after, a flowing combination with Vanaken and De Ketelaere. The latter put the ball in front of goal and there Hendry popped up. Unfortunately, he kicks against a defender and so the ball goes wide.

Club thus freely went its chance in the second half and also remained well organized. Sowah, Lang and De Ketelaere remained a constant threat to PSG's defenders. The times the Parisians poked their noses into the window was through Messi. However, Mignolet stood strong in front of goal each time. Around minute 75 another real excitement at Jan Breydel when De Ketelaere found Lang at the far post. The latter tried acrobatically, but the ball went wide via a half-turn. The fans were cooing with joy!

The last quarter of an hour was logically a little pump or sink for Club, but they continued to play very organized. Everyone fought for each other and made extra meters. Consequently, PSG could no longer pose a real threat to Mignolet's goal. It was also remarkable that coach Clement only used his first substitution in injury time. After the final whistle, a big party erupted among the supporters. Blue-Black takes a deserved point against the great Paris Saint-Germain...wonderful start to the Champions League campaign!

UEFA Champions League - Playday 1
Spectators: 28,000 - Jan Breydel Stadium
Referee: Sandro Schärer
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Clinton Mata, Jack Hendry, Stanley Nsoki, Eduard Sobol - Éder Balanta, Mats Rits, Hans Vanaken (c) - Noa Lang, Charles De Ketelaere, Kamal Sowah (91' Maouassa).
Bench: Senne Lammens, Noah Mbamba, Brandon Mechele, Bas Dost, Ignace Van der Brempt, Ruud Vormer, Tibo Persyn, Faitout Maouassa, Wesley Moraes.
Coach: Philippe Clement.

Paris Saint-Germain: Keylor Navas - Achraf Hakimi, Presnel Kimpembe, Marquinhos (c), Abdou Diallo (75' Nuno Mendes) - Ander Herrera, Leandro Paredes (45' Danilo), Georginio Wijnaldum (45' Draxler) - Kylian Mbappé (51' Icardi), Neymar, Lionel Messi.
Bank: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alexandre Letellier, Mauro Icardi, Danilo, Julian Draxler, Thilo Kehrer, Nuno Mendes, Junior Dina Ebimbe, El-Chadaille Bitshiabu, Teddy Alloh, Nathan Bitumazala
Coach: Mauricio Pochettino.

Yellow cards: Paredes, Lang, Messi, Balanta
Red cards: none
Goals: 15' Herrera (0-1), 27' Vanaken (1-1),

Text: Tom Mannens