Club Brugge takes win in Genk after brilliant comeback!

On matchday 16 of the Jupiler Pro League, Club Brugge went to the Cegeka Arena for the topper against KRC Genk. Blauw-Zwart took the lead in the first half after a goal by Vanaken, but also had to continue with 10 after a red card for Van der Brempt. Early in the second half Hrošovský equalized with a nice volley. Genk also took the lead through the same Hrošovský, but Lang and Ricca provided a brilliant comeback for Club!

After the debacle against RB Leipzig, Blauw-Zwart tried to straighten its back against KRC Genk. To do so, coach Philippe Clement made three changes to his starting line-up. Brandon Mechele, Eduard Sobol and Mats Rits came into the team at the expense of Stanley Nsoki, Kamal Sowah and Bas Dost. The most important absentee at KRC Genk was Paul Onuachu. The tall striker had to miss out due to illness. Captain Bryan Heynen started on the bench.

Both teams started the game at a high tempo. Genk immediately claimed possession of the ball, but it was Club with the first small threat. De Ketelaere with the deep ball for Rits, but Vandevoordt was first on the ball. After that, Genk did take control of the match a bit. This also resulted in a goal by Trésor in minute 10, but this was rightly disallowed after a preliminary foul by Thorstvedt on Hendry. Moments later Genk threatened again through Bongonda, but his shot from an acute angle landed against the post. Blauw-Zwart responded with a kick from Mechele narrowly wide and a header from De Ketelaere into the hands of Vandevoordt.

After this pleasant opening phase, the game did fall somewhat silent. Genk did have ball possession, but this phase was mainly characterized by a lot of midfield play and no chances. In minute 35, the match broke open completely. Lang had time to kick the cross and did so perfectly to the second post. There Vanaken discovered his direct opponent and kicked the ball into the net from close range. Blauw-Zwart took the lead and that stimulated the Brugge players to push on. Rits was found in the sixteen, but his shot to the short corner was deflected into a corner. Club thus took full control of the match, but shortly before halftime they suffered a setback. Van der Brempt came too late with an intervention on Bongonda and picked up his second yellow card. The second half had to start with 10.

Despite Genk's numerical majority, no substitutions were made at halftime. Club changed to a 4-4-1 formation with De Ketelaere in the point. It was immediately clear that Genk immediately looked to attack and quite early on with results. A deflected ball on a corner kick was taken by Hrošovský very nicely on the volley and Mignolet was hopeless. The Bruges players found it very difficult to get out of the Genk tight spot, but this did not immediately result in goal-ready chances. Gradually Club got back into the game, but again without any goal threat. A little later, Genk did create one, more specifically twice from Trésor. With both left and right, he hit the ball just wide of the post. A deflected shot by Thorstvedt moments later also went wide.

So the chances were for Genk and it was again Hrošovský who gave the Limburgers the lead. He kicked from distance and Mignolet misjudged the shot a bit. So Club had to chase and showed tremendous resilience. Driven by a strong substitute Vormer, the ball got to De Ketelaere in the sixteen and he in turn saw Lang standing next to him. The Dutch winger remained calm and brought Blauw-Zwart alongside. It became clear that Club did not simply make peace with a draw and shortly after the equalizer a delirium ensued anyway. Vormer with the corner kick and the free Ricca headed the leather past Vandevoordt.

After this formidable remonstrance, Club did not get into any more trouble and so a very important win was recorded on the KRC Genk pitch. Club showed a lot of character and this victory was very satisfying. With these three points, Blauw-Zwart comes closer to leader Union. Wednesday follows another cup clash against, yes...KRC Genk!

Jupiler Pro League - Playday 16
Spectators: 24,956 - Cegeka Arena
Referee: Lawrence Visser
KRC Genk: Maarten Vandevoordt - Ángelo Preciado (80' Daniel Muñoz), Mujaid Sadick (87' Joseph Paintsil), Jhon Lucumí, Gerardo Arteaga - Patrik Hrošovský, Kristian Thorstvedt, Mike Trésor (74' Bryan Heynen) - Junya Ito, Théo Bongonda (c), Iké Ugbo.
Bench: Daniel Muñoz, Bastien Toma, Mark McKenzie, Jay-Dee Geusens, Tobe Leysen, Luca Oyen, Joseph Paintsil, Bryan Heynen.
Coach: John van den Brom.

Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Clinton Mata, Jack Hendry, Brandon Mechele, Eduard Sobol (59' Federico Ricca) - Éder Balanta (72' Ruud Vormer), Mats Rits, Hans Vanaken (c) - Ignace Van der Brempt, Noa Lang (93' Bas Dost), Charles De Ketelaere.
Bench: Senne Lammens, Kiany Vroman, Federico Ricca, Faitout Maouassa, Stanley Nsoki, Noah Mbamba, Ruud Vormer, Kamal Sowah, Bas Dost, José Izquierdo.
Coach: Philippe Clement.

Yellow cards: Van der Brempt, Sobol, Bongonda
Red cards: Van der Brempt (2x yellow)
Goals: 35' Vanaken (0-1), 49' Hrošovský (1-1), 72' Hrošovský (2-1), 78' Lang (2-2), 82' Ricca (2-3).

Text: Tom Mannens