Club loses by smallest difference on field at Kortrijk

On match day 11 of the Belgian league, Blauw-Zwart headed to the Guldensporenstadium where they were hosted by KV Kortrijk. Club dominated the game on every level, but swallowed a goal by Isaak Davies on a counter-attack in the 36th minute. That goal was enough for the home team to pull out the win.

After almost a week of international soccer, Blauw-Zwart was motivated to flush out the sour defeat against Standard Liege against KV Kortrijk. Coach Ronny Deila changed tack and opted for three new captains against Kortrijk. Ferran Jutglà and Philip Zinckernagel took their places on the bench and were replaced by Igor Thiago and Antonio Nusa, respectively. Tajon Buchanan was also allowed to start in place of Dennis Odoi who was not included in the selection.

Blue-Black started the game strongly at the Golden Spurs Stadium. They immediately showed a lot of drive up front and allowed the ball to pass very smoothly from foot to foot. That enthusiasm was immediately rewarded with a great chance after barely three minutes. Taste maker Skov Olsen received the ball on the right flank and after a flawless control, immediately crossed the ball to Thiago. The latter deviated the ball in one time, but found the post. Club did make its intentions clear right away by grabbing KV Kortrijk by the throat from the start.

Halfway through the first half, Club convincingly monopolized the ball in the home team's half. Especially Skov Olsen and Nusa showed a lot of enthusiasm on the ball. After half an hour of soccer, the latter found himself in an optimal shooting position after a well played chance through the center of the Kortrijk defense. However, his shot was parried by Vandenberghe, who only just managed to tap the Norwegian striker's effort against the crossbar. After this great chance, the momentum was completely with Club, but again they were not rewarded. By the ^36th minute, Buchanan slipped on his own half, opening the door for a Kortrijk attack. Henen took the ball forward and served Isaak Davies who slid the leather past Mignolet. 1-0 for the home team. After the Kortrijk goal Blauw-Zwart tried to attack, but could not create any major chances. 1-0 was the score at halftime.

After the break, Club again moved forward with determination and camped in the home team's half. As in the first half, the offensive impetus came again from Antonio Nusa and Andreas Skov Olsen, who were able to put the fire to the Kortrijk defense from the start. This resulted in beautiful soccer, but the home team's slump made it difficult for Blauw-Zwart to create big chances. On the hour, the first big opportunity of the second half came. After fumbling by the Kortrijk defense, the ball ended up with Thiago, who could take a shot near goal. His attempt was blocked by Mampasi, who just threw himself in front of the ball.

Coach Ronny Deila also intervened after 60 minutes with the first substitutions of the game. Vetlesen, Nusa and Buchanan made way for Jutglà, Zinckernagel and Meijer, respectively. The latter was making his comeback since matchday 1 in the Belgian league after an injury. Those substitutions seemed to have an effect. After 70 minutes of soccer, defender Marco Kana brought down Thiago in the penalty area. Van Damme didn't hesitate and pointed to the spot. Penalty for Club. A great opportunity for the team to equalize, but Skov Olsen put the ball over the crossbar. Luck did not seem to be on Blue-Black's side.

The missed penalty, however, did not change the game. Club kept looking for chances and got them. Ten minutes before the whistle, Blauw-Zwart once again slipped through the Kortrijk defenders and the ball ended up in Onyedika's hands. Goalkeeper Vandenberghe had great difficulty in stopping the ball in two shots. Barely five minutes later, Vanaken found himself in a similar shooting position, but this time was deflected by Malinov into a corner kick. The pressure kept coming from Club, but the did not prove sufficient to score a connecting goal. Club lost by the smallest of margins at the Golden Spurs stage after a goal by Davies.