COURSE IN THE LEAGUE PHASE
The campaign began with a home game against AS Monaco U19, in which Club NXT U19 won 1-0 thanks to a penalty kick by captain Laurens Goemaere. A few weeks later followed the first move, to Italy, where Atalanta Bergamo U19 was defeated 0-2 after two goals by Jesse Bisiwu.
On Oct. 22, a second away game was scheduled, this time against Bayern Munich U19. Club NXT U19 recorded a convincing 0-3 victory there, good for a third clean sheet for goalkeeper Argus. The goals came from Laurens Goemaere (penalty), Yanis Musuayi and Wout Verlinden.
This was followed by a home game against FC Barcelona U19. Blauw-Zwart started strong with chances for Tian Nai Koren and Kaye Furo, but it was Tobias Lund Jensen who opened the scoring in the 16th minute. In an exciting closing stages, Jakke Van Britsom made it 2-0. It marked a fourth consecutive victory and a fourth clean sheet for goalkeeper Argus.
At the end of November, the team traveled to Portugal for the last away game, against Sporting CP U19. At the Stadium Aurelio Pereira, Club NXT U19 suffered its first and only defeat of the campaign: 2-1. Sporting CP scored twice in the second half. Yanis Musuayi provided the tying goal in added time.
The group stage ended with a home game against Arsenal FC U19 on Wednesday, Dec. 10. The visitors took an early lead through Demiane Agustien, after which Blauw-Zwart had to search for the equalizer for a long time. Goalkeeper Jack Porter held Arsenal up several times, but in minute 85 Yanis Musuayi still made it 1-1, his third goal of the campaign and good for the title of club top scorer in the League Phase. In minute 96, Jakke Van Britsom, on a pass from Utku Kurtal, headed the 2-1 final score on the board. With this victory, Club NXT U19 secured a deserved third place in the overall standings with 15 out of 18 and only three goals against in six matches.
