Club Brugge played a 1-1 draw against Union at home. Blauw-Zwart was boss and had the better chances, but did go behind shortly after the break after an Ivanovic goal. Ten minutes before time, Brandon Mechele headed in the deserved equalizer.
Nicky Hayen made three changes to the team that beat Sturm Graz on Wednesday. At the back, Zaid Romero replaced Joel Ordóñez, while in midfield Hugo Vetlesen reappeared in the squad. Ardon Jashari retained his starting place and played slightly lower this time, in place of the suspended Onyedika. Up front, Michał Skóraś was preferred to Andreas Skov Olsen. Gustaf Nilsson was still injured, so Ferran Jutglà retained his starting place.
Both Club and Union had a European midweek match in the legs, but both teams did start the game full of dedication. High pressure and lots of intensity, but it did not result in many clear-cut chances. The only danger in the early stages came after miscommunication at the back. First Vanaken could not take advantage of a miss by Burgess, while at the other end Mignolet was able to stop Fuseini after a slip by Romero.
Both teams kept each other in balance, but shortly before the half hour Club had the chance for the opening goal. Jashari got through on the left and put the ball low in front of goal, but Skóraś kicked the ball wide from a few meters in front of goal. At the other end, Sadiki went for his chance twice, but was unable to embarrass Mignolet. Shortly before half-time, Tzolis was brought down in the sixteen meters, but ref Lambrechts and VAR De Cremer saw no holes in it. Immediately after, Vanaken took a cross from Tzolis on the slipper in one time, but Moris kept the zero on the board.
After the break, Club immediately went in search of the opening goal. After a few minutes, the Bruges players came close on three occasions. First, an effort by Jutglà was deflected just before the goal line, then MacAllister was able to clear a shot by Tzolis, and finally Moris pushed a deviation by De Cuyper from under the crossbar. Instead of 1-0, however, it became 0-1 against the run of play: Franjo Ivanovic took the ball cleverly and kicked the leather across.
Blauw-Zwart tried to respond immediately, but a header by Jutglà flew straight at Moris and a shot by Romero went wide. Nicky Hayen then threw Skov Olsen and Talbi into the fray. Skov Olsen seemed to have an immediate impact when his cross was touched by Burgess with his hand on the edge of the sixteen meters, but ref Lambrechts allowed play to continue. Moments later, the Dane was able to push through well on the right, but his cross blew past the far post. Early in the closing quarter, Tzolis deviated a De Cuyper cross wide of goal.
Ten minutes before time, Jashari painted a corner kick onto the head of Brandon Mechele, who headed the 1-1 past Moris. Club continued to push, but took risks. First Mignolet had to save a shot by Ivanovic, while deep into injury time the Limburger had to pull out all the stops to save a hard shot by Terho. The game remained 1-1, leaving the Bruges fans to settle for a point.
Jupiler Pro League - Matchday 10
Spectators: 26,000 - Jan Breydelstadion
Referee: Erik Lambrechts
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Joaquin Seys, Brandon Mechele, Zaid Romero (77' Jorne Spileers), Maxim De Cuyper (77' Kyriani Sabbe) - Hugo Vetlesen (62' Andreas Skov Olsen), Ardon Jashari, Hans Vanaken - Michał Skóraś, Ferran Jutglà (62' Chemsdine Talbi), Christos Tzolis. Bank: Nordin Jackers, Dani van den Heuvel, Joel Ordóñez, Hugo Siquet and Lynnt Audoor. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Union Saint-Gilloise: Anthony Moris - Kevin MacAllister, Christian Burgess, Koki Machida - Alessio Castro-Montes, Charles Vanhoutte, Noah Sadiki (89' Kamiel Van de Perre), Mathias Rasmussen (46' Lazare Amani), Ousseynou Niang (62' Casper Terho) - Franjo Ivanovic, Mohammed Fuseini (74' Kevin Rodriguez). Coach: Sébastien Pocognoli.
Yellow cards: Castro-Montes, Fuseini, Niang, Ivanovic, MacAllister, Jashari, Lazare.
Red cards: none
Goals: 52' Ivanovic (0-1), 82' Mechele (1-1).