Club closes 2020 with 3-0 win against Eupen

Club Brugge won its last match of 2020 3-0 over Eupen. Blauw-Zwart clashed with a double wall, but after halftime Noa Lang decided the game with two goals. Hans Vanaken picked up a red card ten minutes before time, but David Okereke made it 3-0 immediately afterwards.

Compared to last week's match against AA Gent, Bruges made two changes to its starting line-up. Mats Rits rejoined the team as a defensive midfielder, leaving Odilon Kossounou one row back. Noa Lang also reappeared at kick-off. Deli and Okereke consequently disappeared from the starting lineup. The visitors, who were in action for the first time since Dec. 6, were missing former Bruges player Poulain, among others, due to Covid-19.

The visitors folded back massively from the opening minute, making it a double wall for Club. The Brugge side had constant possession of the ball, but did not immediately find openings. The first real threat came after twenty minutes, when Diatta lashed out with a hard shot. Goalkeeper Defourny saved and then also stood firm on the Senegalese's rebound. Moments later, De Ketelaere cleverly made it to the back line, but his cross was cleared just in front of Vanaken.

The best chance for the opening goal fell shortly past the half-hour mark: a free kick by Vormer was headed just short of his own goal via an Eupen defender. Moments later, Rits penetrated the sixteen meters, but the ball was tackled out of his feet in extremis. From the ensuing corner kick, De Ketelaere headed over, while Defourny was just able to intercept a cross from Vanaken to Diatta. The visitors' only danger came from Baby, who kicked the ball straight at Mignolet.

After the break, Club immediately shifted up two gears. This immediately resulted in a good chance: Lang skilfully made it to the goal line, but Diatta's deviation was cleared just before the goal line. Moments later Vanaken headed a corner kick from Vormer a meter wide. Blauw-Zwart was clearly on better form than in the first half and was rewarded for that. After a cleared corner kick, Diatta launched Noa Lang, who made it 1-0 with a lovely drive.

The visitors tried to respond via Baby, but Mechele was able to defuse his cross. Club was now given more space and could immediately take advantage of it: De Ketelaere headed a deep ball into the path of Lang, who slid the 2-0 in. Eupen again tried to counter via Baby, but Club came close to scoring the third goal on several occasions: a shot by Diatta went wide, while Defourny saved attempts by Diatta and De Ketelaere.

The spoils were in for Blauw-Zwart, who had to continue with one man less ten minutes before time. Referee Verboomen sent off Hans Vanaken after a strong tackle on Andreas Beck. No problem though, because immediately afterwards Club was able to score again. Lang played an ingenious heel into substitute David Okereke, who slotted in to make it 3-0. Blauw-Zwart closes 2020 in first place.

Jupiler Pro League - Matchday 19
Spectators: none - Jan Breydelstadion
Referee: Nathan Verboomen
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Clinton Mata, Odilon Kossounou, Brandon Mechele, Federico Ricca - Ruud Vormer, Mats Rits, Hans Vanaken - Krépin Diatta (80' David Okereke), Charles De Ketelaere, Noa Lang (85' Youssouph Badji). Bench: Ethan Horvath, Senne Lammens, Eduard Sobol, Éder Balanta, Siebe Schrijvers, Simon Deli, Ignace Van der Brempt and Emmanuel Dennis. Coach: Philippe Clement.
KAS Eupen: Théo Defourny - Andreas Beck, Emmanuel Agbadou, Menno Koch, Senna Miangue - Gary Magnée (63' Knowledge Musona), Jens Cools (68' Jordi Amat), Stef Peeters (77' Jonathan Heris), Konan N'Dri - Mamadou Koné (63' Carlos Embalo), Amara Baby (77' Isaac Nuhu). Coach: Beñat San José.
Yellow cards: Cools, Koch.
Red cards: 79' Vanaken.
Goals: 52' Lang (1-0), 58' Lang (2-0), 82' Okereke (3-0).

Text: Steven Floin