Club plays 1-1 draw against Zulte Waregem

Club Brugge stalled at home against Zulte Waregem in a 1-1 draw. Andreas Skov Olsen gave Blauw-Zwart the lead just after the break, but Drambaiev scored the equalizer twenty minutes before time.

Carl Hoefkens made five changes to the team that went down in Eupen last week. Hendry and Nsoki - left for Hoffenheim this week - were replaced at center back by Mechele and Otasowie, while Meijer was preferred to Sobol on the left. In midfield, Odoi replaced Balanta and up front Sowah played in support of deep striker Jutglà. Lang started on the bench as a result.

Blauw-Zwart claimed the ball from the opening minute, but the first chance was for Zulte Waregem: Dompé appeared after five minutes face to face with Mignolet, who had a fine reflex. Club responded through Skov Olsen, who just failed to reach Jutglà with his through pass. Bruges were clearly in control, but it was the visitors who came closest to a goal. Dompé again got too much freedom, but Mignolet was still able to deviate the leather sufficiently, allowing Mechele to clear the ball just before the goal line.

After more than a quarter of an hour, Club also had a good chance: the industrious Sowah spooned the ball over the Essevee defense, but Nielsen's volley hit the side netting. Immediately afterwards Sowah went on alone, but the Ghanaian did not get past Bossut. Blauw-Zwart remained in control, but no real goal chances were created. Shortly before half time Bossut had to pull out all the stops to parry a hard shot by Jutglà. At the other end, it again took an attentive Mignolet to keep Fadera from scoring a goal.

After the break, Blauw-Zwart immediately shifted up two gears. And that immediately yielded results! After a fine attack, Sowah Skov served Olsen. The Dane was first stopped by Bossut, but then slammed the ball delightfully into the roof of the goal. A few minutes later it was almost 2-0. Jutglà sent Skov Olsen off in front of goal, but he was first stopped by Bossut and then his rabona was also unsuccessful.

Club kept pushing, but did not score. First Sowah couldn't get through to Bossut and a little later - after a nice slice by Jutglà - Nielsen was also stopped by the Waregem goalkeeper. Instead of 2-0, however, it became 1-1: Oleksandr Drambaiev deviated a cross from Fadera into goal. Immediately after, a header from substitute Tsouka landed right in Mignolet's hands.

Coach Hoefkens tried to revive the game with a triple substitution, but the insertion of Sobol, Lang and Larin brought no improvement. Nielsen tried another free kick, but the Dane's effort whizzed wide. In the final minute, Lang's shot hit the side netting, keeping the score 1-1. Club thus starts the league with 4 out of 9.

Jupiler Pro League - Playday 3
Spectators: 27.000 - Jan Breydelstadion
Referee: Nathan Verboomen
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Clinton Mata, Brandon Mechele, Owen Otasowie (67' Abakar Sylla), Bjorn Meijer (75' Eduard Sobol) - Andreas Skov Olsen, Casper Nielsen, Denis Odoi (84' Ruud Vormer), Hans Vanaken - Kamal Sowah (75' Noa Lang), Ferran Jutglà (75' Cyle Larin). Bench: Senne Lammens, Nick Shinton, Noah Mbamba, Lynnt Audoor and Cisse Sandra. Coach: Carl Hoefkens.
Zulte Waregem: Sammy Bossut - Alessandro Ciranni, Moudou Tambedou, Borja Lopez, Oleksandr Drambaev (80' Lukas Willen) - Abdoulaye Sissako, Nicolas Rommens, Lasse Vigen Christensen (66' Mamadou Sangaré), Alieu Fadera (80' Lennert Hallaert) - Jelle Vossen (66' Stan Braem), Jean-Luc Dompé (55' Ravi Tsouka). Coach: Mbaye Leye
Yellow cards: Mata, Fadera, Skov Olsen, Bossut, Willen.
Red cards: none
Goals: 47' Skov Olsen (1-0), 69' Drambaiev (1-1).