Get in! A Denis Odoi goal at Anderlecht helped Club towards the three points, leapfrogging both Union and Anderlecht at the top of the table. A single point suffices in next week's derby to clinch another title!
Just two changes in Nicky Hayen's line-up compared to the team that had drawn with Union on Monday: the injured Igor Thiago and an uncertain Kyriani Sabbe making way for Casper Nielsen and Hugo Vetlesen. The reshuffle brought Denis Odoi at right back, while Vetlesen moved to the right wing. On the left, Skóraś played in support of deep forward Jutglà.
Club immediately put its nose against the window as Augustinsson came just in time to prevent Jutglà from going for goal, and remained the more dominant team, creating a couple chances on the go: a free kick by Vanaken sailed one metre over, a De Cuyper effort went wide and a Jutglà volley whizzed past an opponent harmlessly.
Thirty minutes into the game, Club's attacking intentions were rewarded. The hosts with another corner kick duly taken by De Cuyper to find Denis Odoi inside the box, getting a fortunate touch to the ball to send it past a hapless Schmeichel by the car post. Title contenders Anderlecht tried to react, but found a focused Mignolet on their way as Dolberg tried from a very acute angle. Club was not impressed, however, and came close to adding a second moments later: Skórás with the drive on the left, finding Vanaken in the middle who finding Jutglà with a clever through-ball, but the Spaniard found Schmeichel on his way. At the other end, Mechele twice managed to block a shot, while a Gattoni header went over the crossbar.
After the break, Anderlecht went searching for that much-needed equalizer, but failed to put Club out of contention. More than a cracked shot by Rits that went well wide was not in it for Anderlecht. Club started leaning back, keeping an eye out for the break, and the 0-2 seemed closer than the equaliser. In one of those fiesty breaks, Nielsen made the most of a pass that was initially too far crossing towards Vetlesen, but the latter hit the top of the crossbar with his header. Moments later, a volley by Onyedika went over goal and a shot by Skov Olsen, just on, was blocked.
Meanwhile, Anderlecht was having all sorts of trouble trying to create anything, an Augustinsson header from a corner kick straight in the hands of Mignolet was the home side's only chance. Without too much difficulty Club kept its ground, although coach Nicky Hayen was given two yellow cards for protesting with just ten minutes to go. Sending up defenders to gain that extra heading force, Anderlecht went forward with all their might in the final minutes, giving Club two solid chances to really put it to bed. With Schmeichel far out of his goal and losing possession, it came to Balanta who tried his luck from very far off, but the ball ended up in the roof of the goal. An even better chance came to Jutglà, after Vanaken had set him up neatly after an awful Anderlecht throw-in, but the Spaniard missed from very close range. 0-1 it was, enough for Club Brugge to start the final day in pole position. Blauw-Zwart now has a three point head start over both Union and Anderlecht, and can seal the deal on the final match day if it doesn't lose the City Derby.
Jupiler Pro League - Champions' Play-offs: Match day 9
Audience: 21,000 - Lotto Park
Referee: Erik Lambrechts
RSC Anderlecht: Kasper Schmeichel - Killian Sardella, Zeno Debast, Federico Gattoni, Ludwig Augustinsson (84' Moussa N'Diaye) - Mario Stroeykens, Mats Rits, Yari Verschaeren (72' Théo Leoni) - Anders Dreyer, Kasper Dolberg (72' Luis Vazquez), Francis Amuzu (72' Nilson Angulo). Coach: Brian Riemer.
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Denis Odoi, Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper - Casper Nielsen (76' Éder Balanta), Raphael Onyedika (90' Kyriani Sabbe) - Hugo Vetlesen (69' Andreas Skov Olsen), Hans Vanaken, Michał Skóraś (90' Antonio Nusa) - Ferran Jutglà. Bench: Joe Bursik, Nordin Jackers, Joaquin Seys, Jorne Spileers, Bi Abdoul Kader Yameogo, Philip Zinckernagel, Shion Homma and Kyriani Sabbe. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Yellow: Vetlesen, Odoi, De Cuyper, Debast.
Red: Hayen.
Goal: 29' Odoi (0-1).
