Club Brugge suffered their second defeat of the season on the pitch at La Louvière. Faye scored midway through the first half with what turned out to be the only goal of the game. Club created plenty of chances but Tzolis was among those unable to convert, missing from the penalty spot.
Nicky Hayen made three changes to the side that drew with AA Gent a fortnight ago. At the back Bjorn Meijer replaced the injured Seys, while in midfield Lynnt Audoor took the spot of Onyedika. Up front Mamadou Diakhon started ahead of Tzolis. For both Audoor and Diakhon it was their first start in an official match for Blauw-Zwart.
Club hoped for an early breakthrough and immediately pressed high. The first threat came after just a few minutes when Diakhon found Meijer down the left with a clever pass, but the ball ran too far. La Louvière hit back strongly, making clear they would not be rolled over. Afriyie tried an overhead kick that only just cleared the bar. After fifteen minutes Diakhon went down inside the area after slight contact. Referee Bert Put initially pointed to the spot but overturned his decision after reviewing the footage.
Club enjoyed most of the possession but La Louvière remained dangerous on the counter, mainly through the lively Afriyie. He forced Jackers into a smart save with his foot, but from the resulting corner the keeper misjudged the cross and Faye headed in. The goal lifted the home side who threatened again through Afriyie and Maës, coming close to a second. Blauw-Zwart tried to respond with efforts from Sabbe and Stanković but without success.
At half time Ordóñez, Onyedika and Tzolis came on for Spileers, Audoor and Diakhon. Tzolis immediately injected energy and soon claimed a penalty when his shot struck Lamego’s supporting arm. After a VAR review play was allowed to continue. The visitors increased the pressure but much of it was sterile, as they struggled to break down the home defence despite winning more duels than in the first half.
For La Louvière it was backs to the wall, although they still created danger of their own. Meijer produced an excellent tackle to deny Mendy while Jackers saved from Maës. At the other end Tzolis had a fine chance but dragged his effort wide. Substitute Furo headed over soon after and Peano denied both Onyedika and Tzolis with strong saves. Vanaken volleyed over as the pressure mounted.
The closing stages were frantic with Club pushing hard. Tresoldi set up Furo but Peano pulled off a brilliant stop. Moments later Lahssaini handled inside the area and Put pointed to the spot. Tzolis stepped up but blasted his penalty over the bar. Almost immediately the Greek had another chance but this time his strike flew over and wide. The match finished 1-0 and Club Brugge had to accept their second loss of the season.
Jupiler Pro League – Matchday 7
Attendance: 8.000 – Easi Arena
Referee: Bert Put
La Louvière: Marcos Peano – Jordi Liongola (83’ Samuel Gueulette), Yllan Okou, Wagane Faye, Djibril Alain Lamego, Thierry Lutonda – Joel Ito, Sami Lahssaini, Owen Maës - Jerry Afriyie (87’ Nolan Gillot), Oucasse Mendy (72’ Mouhamed Belkheir). Coach: Frederic Taquin.
Club Brugge: Nordin Jackers – Kyriani Sabbe (84’ Shandre Campbell), Jorne Spileers (46’ Joel Ordóñez), Brandon Mechele, Bjorn Meijer – Aleksandar Stanković, Lynnt Audoor (46’ Raphael Onyedika), Hans Vanaken – Carlos Forbs (76’ Kaye Furo), Nicolò Tresoldi, Mamadou Diakhon (46’ Christos Tzolis). Bank: Simon Mignolet, Hugo Siquet, Cisse Sandra en Gustaf Nilsson. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Yellow cards: Spileers.
Red cards: none
Goals: 25’ Faye (1-0).